Is your leadership style too heavy to carry—and unknowingly fueling burnout? In this Polarity Spotlight episode, we explore the hidden tension between seriousness and playfulness in leadership. As responsibilities grow, many leaders default to structure, control, and pressure—missing the creativity and connection that lightness brings. This episode breaks down how balancing these two forces is essential not just for performance, but for sustainable well-being and authentic leadership identity. W...
May 30, 2025•13 min•Ep. 314
Do you ever feel like you're constantly saying “yes” to everyone—except yourself? Are you struggling with burnout and wondering how to reclaim your energy and leadership identity? In this episode, we sit down with Bradley Hook , author of Start with Values , to explore how values-based leadership is the key to avoiding burnout, making better decisions, and strengthening your leadership skills . We discuss the impact of misaligned values , the importance of micro-habits, and why clarity on your p...
May 28, 2025•47 min•Ep. 313
Are short-term decisions undermining your long-term impact as a leader? In today’s fast-paced leadership landscape, especially with the rise of interim roles and C-suite turnover, many leaders find themselves caught between urgent operational demands and the need to uphold long-term vision. This episode dives deep into this hidden tension — and how ignoring it can silently erode your leadership identity and fuel burnout across your team. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Discover the polarity b...
May 23, 2025•12 min•Ep. 312
Are invisible barriers holding you back from reaching the next level in your leadership journey? Many leaders unknowingly operate from outdated leadership norms that lead to burnout, stagnation, and frustration. If you feel stuck despite your hard work, this episode is for you. In today's episode of Burnout Proof Leadership , Michelle and Tracy uncover the three hidden barriers that could be sabotaging your growth. They explore why working harder doesn’t guarantee success, how your internal oper...
May 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 311
Are you unintentionally burning out your team—or yourself—by how you give (or don’t give) feedback? Feedback is a core leadership skill—but most leaders either overuse candor or hide behind diplomacy. In this Polarity Spotlight episode, we uncover the hidden tensions in giving and receiving feedback and explain how these communication patterns shape your leadership identity and team culture. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Learn how to balance honesty and empathy so your feedback actually lan...
May 16, 2025•11 min•Ep. 310
Are you feeling stuck in your career, battling burnout, or questioning if your work is truly meaningful? What if you had 90,000 hours to make a real impact—without sacrificing your financial stability? In this episode, we sit down with Georgi Enthoven , author of Work That’s Worth It , to explore how professionals can align their leadership skills with purpose, build a leadership identity that truly resonates, and avoid the burnout that so often accompanies ambition. Georgi shares her personal j...
May 14, 2025•49 min•Ep. 309
In this episode, we spotlight the growing tension between artificial intelligence and human intelligence in modern leadership. As AI tools promise faster results and streamlined workflows, many leaders are unknowingly sacrificing core leadership skills and connection, increasing their risk of burnout. This polarity—automated power and human presence—is no longer optional to navigate. It’s now essential to sustainable, purpose-driven leadership. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Learn how to det...
May 09, 2025•13 min•Ep. 308
Are you working harder than ever but still not advancing in your leadership role? If you feel stuck in execution mode, constantly busy but not making meaningful career progress, you might be facing a leadership plateau without even realizing it. Many leaders assume that better time management, pushing harder, or waiting for external changes will get them to the next level—but these strategies rarely work. In this episode, we explore why traditional solutions fail and reveal the real key to break...
May 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 307
In this Polarity Spotlight episode, we reveal the hidden polarity behind Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory —and why it’s essential for shaping your leadership identity. Discover the tension between “Let Them” (releasing control) and “Let Me” (reclaiming self-leadership), and why mastering both is key to developing resilient leadership skills while protecting yourself from burnout. Through practical examples and reflective prompts in this episode, you’ll learn how to lead with purpose, maintain emotio...
May 02, 2025•14 min•Ep. 306
Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or like you’re constantly running on empty as a leader? What if the key to avoiding burnout and strengthening your leadership identity wasn’t about doing more—but about being more present? In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure leadership roles, burnout is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Many leaders feel stuck in survival mode, constantly juggling responsibilities without ever feeling fully present or fulfilled. But what if there was a way to reset, r...
Apr 30, 2025•45 min•Ep. 305
In this episode, we dive into a real-time leadership tension: how to lead through accelerated change while still caring deeply for the people carrying that change out. Spoiler alert—this isn’t a simple choice between speed or empathy. It’s a polarity. And knowing how to navigate it is one of the most important leadership skills of our time. You’ll learn how this polarity shows up in all levels of leadership-government, corporate, non-profit and neglecting either pole—urgency or humanity—can crea...
Apr 25, 2025•11 min•Ep. 304
Do you feel like no matter how hard you work, you're still stuck at the same level in your leadership journey? What if working harder isn't actually the key to success—but the very thing holding you back? In this episode of Burnout Proof Leadership , Michelle and Tracy dive deep into the leadership myth that working harder equals success. They reveal the hidden reasons why so many leaders feel trapped in burnout and overwork, and why the most successful leaders aren't grinding harder—they're thi...
Apr 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 303
On April 23rd, we’re officially changing the name of The TRU Leader Podcast to Burnout-Proof Leadership ! In this announcement episode, we share: Why we’re making this change (and why now is the perfect time) What’s staying the same (don’t worry—we’re still here every Wednesday!) What new content you can look forward to (hello, Friday bonus episodes!) And how Burnout-Proof Leadership will better serve YOU in today’s high-stakes leadership world Mark your calendar: April 23rd we officially become...
Apr 18, 2025•10 min•Ep. 302
Why does change feel so hard—even when we know it's necessary? What if resistance isn’t the enemy of progress, but the key to unlocking stronger leadership skills and real transformation? In this powerful episode, we dive into the wisdom of resistance and how great leaders learn to navigate it rather than fight it. Whether you're leading a team through rapid change, feeling the effects of burnout , or struggling to redefine your leadership identity , understanding resistance can transform the wa...
Apr 16, 2025•45 min•Ep. 301
Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch a podcast—and keep it going for 300 episodes? What about leading a long-term initiative without burning out? Most podcasts (and leadership initiatives) don’t make it past the first year. But in this milestone episode, we reflect on the leadership skills, structure, and mindset that have helped us persevere. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or looking to sharpen your leadership identity, this conversation is packed with insights on commitment, adapt...
Apr 09, 2025•43 min•Ep. 300
What makes a co-founder relationship successful, and how can you use leadership identity to avoid burnout while scaling your business? Many entrepreneurs and business leaders struggle with burnout and decision fatigue, often feeling isolated in their leadership roles. In this episode, we sit down with co-founders Lorie Spence and Carolyn Pritchard to uncover the power of partnership in leadership. Learn how leveraging complementary leadership skills, navigating tensions, and fostering a balanced...
Apr 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 299
🔥 Are you leading your business—or is it leading you to burnout? Leadership is already challenging, but when you step into entrepreneurship, the stakes get even higher. How do you build a thriving business without sacrificing your well-being? What if the key to success lies in managing polarities—those hidden forces that drive both resilience and burnout if not leveraged well. 🚀 In this episode, you’ll discover: The #1 ingredient that increases the risk of burnout for entrepreneurs (and how to...
Mar 26, 2025•38 min•Ep. 298
🚀 How Does Mindset Shape Your Leadership Journey? Have you ever faced a setback that made you question your path as a leader? What if the key to resilience, success, and leadership identity lies in mastering your mindset? 🔥 Why This Episode is a Must-Listen In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Nick Mornard , entrepreneur, author of Mindset is My Degree , and a true example of leadership resilience. Nick shares his personal journey—from a career-ending sports injury to building a thr...
Mar 19, 2025•30 min•Ep. 297
❓ Who’s really responsible for building trust in teams? Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team, but most workplaces struggle to create it. Many leaders think it’s their sole responsibility—but what if the key to trust wasn’t just about leadership? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth unpack the essential behaviors that foster trust and team success, revealing insights from a Harvard Business Review article and their expertise in Polarity Intelligence® . 🎯 ...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 296
In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we dive into the transformative concept of encore careers with special guest Dr. Michelle Prince, author of "Creating Your Encore Career: A Guide to Finding Purpose and Prosperity in Your THIRD Act." With longer lifespans and shifting cultural norms, retirement is no longer about slowing down—it’s about aligning your passions with meaningful work. Michelle shares actionable insights on redefining retirement, from planning your encore career early to exp...
Mar 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 295
In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle are joined by Ruchira Chaudhary. Ruchira shares her transformative journey from unfulfilling careers to a purposeful life as a leadership coach. Drawing from her role as an executive coach at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and her groundbreaking book “Coaching: The Secret Code to Uncommon Leadership,” Ruchira highlights the power of coaching in helping leaders thrive while empowering others. The conversation expl...
Feb 26, 2025•46 min•Ep. 294
In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle explore the art of building a thriving workplace using Polarity Intelligence®. They dive into the interconnected nature of workplace well-being, emphasizing the need for both physical and psychological safety. The discussion highlights how balancing seemingly opposing priorities—such as directive leadership and collaborative participation—can create a dynamic and healthy work culture. By understanding and leveraging th...
Feb 19, 2025•34 min•Ep. 293
In this moving episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Dr. Sasha Shillcutt shares her deeply personal journey of resilience through an extraordinary series of challenges. She recounts the heartbreaking loss of her brother-in-law, whose organ donation saved another family member’s life, intertwining grief with gratitude. Amidst this, Sasha’s home was destroyed by a catastrophic EF4 tornado, leaving her family homeless and grappling with the profound loss of their possessions. These exper...
Feb 12, 2025•40 min•Ep. 292
In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle dive deep into the multifaceted concept of well-being, exploring its significance in both personal and workplace contexts. From mental, physical, and emotional health to social connection, we examine why prioritizing holistic well-being is more critical than ever amid today’s global challenges. You'll hear about emerging trends like destigmatizing mental health, fostering psychological safety, and improving employee assistanc...
Feb 05, 2025•48 min•Ep. 291
In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle celebrate the 7th anniversary of their company, MissingLogic®. They reflect on the journey of their business since its inception in 2018, sharing insights into their decision to launch the company, focusing on their mission to leave a lasting impact by equipping leaders with tools to manage complex challenges, particularly those involving polarities—situations where seemingly opposing forces must be balanced. Over the years, ...
Jan 29, 2025•46 min•Ep. 290
This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Jonathan Bennett, a former management consultant from Ontario, reflects on his transition after selling his company, which served non-profit and public sector organizations. While vacationing in Dublin, he realized the need to plan for his future, leading to a management buyout and his new role as an adviser and executive coach. He highlights the loneliness leaders often face and the importance of external trusted advisors who of...
Jan 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 289
This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Dr. Alan Rozanski. His career journey which began with a passion for medicine and evolved into a focus on nuclear cardiology, research, and the mind-body connection in heart disease. His interest in silent ischemia and the effects of mental stress on heart health led him from academia to clinical practice, where he developed a comprehensive health model. This model includes six key domains: physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being,...
Jan 15, 2025•43 min•Ep. 288
This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Pennie Sempell, a lawyer who transitioned to a career in stress management, initially working in a mind-body clinic and later developing innovative strategies for lawyers and healthcare workers. Pennie’s work emphasizes psychological flexibility, which can be improved through interventions like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), offering benefits such as reduced burnout and improved sleep. She created St...
Jan 08, 2025•47 min•Ep. 287
In the first-ever episode of The TRU Leader Podcast in 2025, Tracy and Michelle reflect on their evolving New Year’s Eve celebrations, exploring the concept of breakthroughs—both internal and external shifts that significantly impact life and leadership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in identifying subconscious beliefs and norms that limit progress, encouraging leaders to adopt a growth mindset. By proactively shaping their destinies and making mindful choices, lead...
Jan 01, 2025•43 min•Ep. 286
With a Christmas release day of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy share their holiday traditions, reflecting on family gatherings and gratitude. They discuss their new book, "Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic in Leadership", which promotes a shift from an either/or mindset to a both/and approach for adaptability in leadership. They also highlight the success of their Polarity Intelligence Foundations for Leaders Program and the growth of The TRU Leader Podcast, which focuses on b...
Dec 25, 2024•47 min•Ep. 285
