How Surrendering Control Changed Everything with Michelle Lea

What do you do when treating your life like a perfectly planned project leaves you constantly obsessing over the ending and missing the joy of the present?In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession concludes the Stand Tall in Your Story series with a powerful, double-sided finale. First, you'll hear from Amanda Smith, Studio Head at Share Your Genius, who reveals how her professional love for story structure accidentally turned her personal life into an exhausting, over-planned checklist. By trying to ghostwrite her own future and treating her family life like an Asana board, Amanda reached a breaking point where she had to completely redefine what a successful story looks like.Following Amanda's talk, Rebecca steps in to share her own major, behind-the-scenes revelation. She opens up about the deep prayer, fasting, and unexpected signs from scripture that led her to make the bold executive decision to close down the highly successful Stand Tall in Your Story live event series in its seventh year. Together, these two stories form a profound masterclass on the power of letting go, trusting a divine timeline, and stepping into the peace of an unwritten chapter.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why treating your personal life like a Gantt chart creates a trap of toxic control and distances you from your own intuitionHow letting go of the ultimate destination and focusing on today unlocks personal growth and creativityHow to step away from a highly successful chapter of your career with peace and gratitudeThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction (01:34) Why a lifelong love for storytelling shaped a career in media (03:59) Realizing how easy it is to ghost write for others (06:12) Finding the freedom in fresh starts (07:48) The power of shifting our focus away from the ending (11:42) Shifting focus to what’s next for corporate coaching (12:44) Wrapping up the Stand Tall in Your Story series with deep peace and gratitudeConnect with Amanda:Amanda Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-alexander-smith/ Explore Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

What do you do when the ultimate go-getter life leaves your nervous system completely exhausted and running on empty?In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Emily Wolfington, Chief People Officer at Elements Financial. From the outside, Emily is a highly successful, involved, and responsible high achiever. But behind the scenes, she was treating God like an emergency backup plan while frantically trying to control every detail of her life. Through a series of unexpected, fortunate events, including a life-changing encounter at a concert and a surprise call from a CEO, Emily discovered the power of surrendering her timeline to a higher plan.Rebecca unpacks Emily’s story to explore the critical necessity of a daily stillness practice. Using the metaphor of a shaken-up snow globe, she explains how constant busyness blocks our access to long-term wisdom and discernment. This episode discusses the counterfeit trap of toxic control, the importance of measuring how far you have come, and what happens when you treat God as the ultimate partner in your life.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why constant busyness activates your nervous system and blocks the inner clarity trying to settle into your heartHow the illusion of needing to manage everything keeps you exhausted, and how true rest unlocks higher-level thinkingHow reflecting on your past chapters with kindness provides the exact fuel you need to step confidently into your next phaseThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction (00:42) Shifting from external mentors to internal self-reflection (01:49) How a random encounter at a Jimmy Buffett concert changed everything (04:02) Navigating the heartbreak and destiny of buying a first home (05:47) Walking away from a soul-crushing job without a backup plan (10:47) The snow globe effect: Why toxic busyness blocks long-term wisdom (13:58) Measuring "the gain" and treating God as the partner of your lifeConnect with Emily:Emily Wolfington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilywolfington/ Explore Elements Financial: http://elements.org/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall

What do you do when the life you built leaves you on your bedroom closet floor, facing the darkness of a marriage that’s about to end?In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Chelsey Gheyara, Vice President of Growth and Experience at Majestic Care. Chelsey shares her raw and inspiring journey of surviving the mud and mire of a difficult childhood and later finding herself on her bedroom closet floor, facing the darkness of a marriage that was about to end. With immense courage and a deep trust in her "one precious life," she packed up what she could fit into her Honda CR-V and chose the beauty of a new beginning.Rebecca unpacks Chelsey’s powerful story, shedding light on why we shouldn't let material things or external metrics become our sole measure of success. She explains the neurobiology of staying in a constant nervous system state of vigilance when we attach our worth to things outside of ourselves. This episode explores resilience, emotional intelligence, faith as a true source of safety, navigating massive life transitions, and why your best days haven't even happened yet. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your innate gifts, faith, and experiences remain yours, even when external things are lostHow to shift away from external validation and evaluate old belief patterns with compassion from a regulated nervous systemThe importance of walking away from dark situations and moving forward with curiosity and excitementThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(01:42) Relearning how to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs(02:15) How the uncertainty of 2020 set the stage for total disruption(03:23) Refusing to become a statistic despite a difficult childhood(04:06) Reaching a breaking point on the bedroom closet floor(06:17) Packing the CR-V and driving toward a beautiful new beginning(09:54) Why attaching your self-worth to external success creates chronic stress(13:48) Navigating massive life transitions with curiosity and excitementConnect with Chelsey:Chelsey Gheyara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseydague/ Explore Majestic Care: https://www.majesticcare.com Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

What happens when burnout becomes so normal that illness feels like the only permission to rest?In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Angie Woods, EVP of Human Resources at Gregory & Appel. Angie shares how a cancer diagnosis forced her to confront years of overwork, people-pleasing, chronic stress, and tying her worth to productivity. Rebecca explains the neuroscience behind burnout, nervous system regulation, workplace culture, and the belief systems many high performers carry for years without realizing it. This episode explores leadership, emotional health, self-worth, faith, burnout recovery, and why rest is not something we have to earn.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why high achievers often feel guilty resting and how burnout becomes an identity issueHow chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation affect physical health, leadership, and workplace cultureWhy productivity is not the same as self-worth and how to break unhealthy burnout patternsThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(01:30) Angie Woods’ burnout journey(02:36) How hustle mindset begins early in life(04:03) When burnout leads to a crucial health diagnosis(06:41) Finding permission and excuse to rest(08:14) Choosing personal growth over constant busyness(11:57) Common burnout beliefs and misconceptions explained(14:44) How nervous system impacts overall illness(20:32) Workplace culture and leadership influence stress(23:12) Faith and intentional rest practices discussed(25:06) Practical call-to-action for daily restorationConnect with Angie:Angie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-woods-sphr-shrm-scp-079b718/Explore Gregory & Appel: https://www.gregoryappel.com/Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

“What happens when the phrase ‘I’m okay’ becomes a mask for what you’re really feeling?”In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Gretchen Schott, Chief Learning Officer at Threefold. Gretchen shares the deeply personal story of losing her father to suicide and how the simple phrase “it’s okay” became a coping mechanism she used to push through grief, discomfort, conflict, and emotional pain.Rebecca goes through the leadership and neuroscience behind Gretchen’s story, exploring how high achievers often suppress emotions, stay in survival mode, and prioritize everyone else’s needs while ignoring their own. Together, they talk about nervous system regulation, psychological safety, emotional honesty, people-pleasing, burnout, workplace culture, and authentic leadership.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “I’m fine” and “it’s okay” can become emotional survival patternsHow psychological safety creates healthier leadership and stronger teamsWhy honest communication is essential for healing, growth, and authentic leadershipThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(03:43) Gretchen shares the story of her father’s suicide(07:17) High achievers, people-pleasing, and emotional suppression(12:06) The neuroscience behind grief, trauma, and nervous system patterns(18:47) Psychological safety, leadership communication, and workplace culture(27:53) Breaking unhealthy emotional patterns and telling the truth(36:13) Creating healthier teams, relationships, and authentic leadershipConnect with Gretchen:Gretchen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschott/ Explore Threefold: https://www.growthreefold.com/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

"You don't have anything to prove, and the sooner your nervous system believes it, the freer you'll lead."In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Michelle Lea, Controller at CertaPro Painters. Michelle shares how being labeled "the shy one" as a child, growing up in a blended family marked by her father's addiction, and walking through infertility shaped a deep pattern of proving herself, until she discovered she never had to.Drawing from Michelle's story, neuroscience, and scripture, Rebecca unpacks how contingent self-worth quietly undermines the very performance we're working so hard to prove; and why the antidote isn't working harder, it's surrender. Not giving up, but releasing what we can't control. Michelle's infertility, her father's addiction, the grief of watching him take his last breath—it was only in letting go that she could fully receive. In this episode, you’ll learn:How childhood labels quietly shape your leadership patternsWhy proving yourself keeps your nervous system stuckWhy surrendering control unlocks more than striving ever couldThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(00:43) How proving yourself costs your nervous system(03:15) Michelle Lea's story as the shy one(05:35) Growing up in a blended family(09:05) A father's battle and God's rescue(10:49) Rebecca unpacks Michelle's story (12:26) The process of reframing childhood patterns (16:32) How to unlock your nervous system’s highest capacity (20:26) Contingent self-worth and the proving pattern(23:29) Surrendering control and the aligned framework(27:25) Why the brain needs forward momentum, not certaintyConnect with Michelle:Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-lea-065a4769/ Explore CertaPro Painters: https://certapro.com/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

“ Stop waiting to be enough before you  step into what God has already called you to do.”In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Michelle Clendenning, Executive Director of Self-Directed Living Supports at Opportunities for Positive Growth. Michelle shares how receiving a pageant’s Miss Congeniality award instead of the crown she wanted as a teenager became a lifelong reminder of her gift for connection, warmth, and making others feel included.Drawing from Michelle’s story, neuroscience, scripture, and leadership insight, Rebecca explores how performance and external approval keep our nervous systems activated, while presence, service, and faith create safety. This episode invites listeners to stop proving, start serving, and recognize the gifts that may have been there all along.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why chasing approval keeps your nervous system stuck in anxietyHow connection and presence can become a powerful leadership giftWhy faith, stillness, and self awareness help you step into who you were created to beThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(02:55) The title she didn’t expect(06:10) Loss, longing, and God’s timing(08:43) Stepping into leadership with faith(12:01) Three tensions to notice(16:54) The gap between appearing and feeling(20:10) The gift she almost missed(23:28) Connection as a leadership gift(27:06) Serving instead of provingConnect with Michelle:Explore Opportunities for Positive Growth: https://www.opgrowth.com/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

“If you can harness your grief and turn that pain into power, you can be unstoppable.”In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession opens the Stand Tall In Your Story series with Kate Sackers, Director of Marketing and Communications at Ryan Fire Protection. Kate shares the deeply personal story of losing her father to cancer, the promise she made to be “in charge of pain,” and how that promise became a catalyst for healing, courage, and transformation. Through grief, weight loss, a career change, and sobriety, Kate shows what it means to turn pain into power.After Kate’s story, Rebecca unpacks the neuroscience and spiritual wisdom behind post-traumatic growth, identity, co-regulation, and behavior change. She explores how emotionally charged moments can become memory anchors, how grief can become a source of clarity, and why our nervous system often knows what we need before our thinking brain can explain it. This episode invites listeners to reflect on the pain they may be storing, the beliefs driving their patterns, and the powerful version of themselves waiting to be seen.In this episode, you’ll learn:How grief can become a catalyst for clarity and growthWhy emotionally intense moments can become anchors for lasting behavior changeHow pain can become power when it’s processed with honesty and loveThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(00:43) How Kate turned pain into power(15:29) The neuroscience behind the promise(18:46) How loss can lead to growth(20:57) The body and mind connection(22:06) Identity and the need for safety(24:23) Spiritual sensing and co-regulation(28:28) Reflection questions for your own storyConnect with Kate:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-sackers-7aaa7452/ Explore Ryan Fire Protection: https://www.ryanfp.com/ Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall 

“Great leaders do not just share information. They create enough safety for real dialogue.”In this special episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares a conversation from her appearance as a guest on Marketing B-Sides, the podcast hosted by Tom Hootman, Founder & CEO of Mixtape Digital. Together, they break down what leadership really looks like beneath the surface, from burnout and communication to nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and the patterns that keep high performers stuck. Through honest reflection, practical insight, and real examples from business, Rebecca offers a grounded perspective on how leaders can care for themselves, communicate more effectively, and lead with greater clarity and humanity. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why burnout is often tied to misalignment, not just workload  How better questions and real dialogue create stronger buy-in and trust  Why caring for yourself is not separate from leadership, but central to itThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(01:26) Rebecca joins Tom on Marketing B-Sides(05:06) The songs that tell Rebecca’s story(11:53) What dysregulation really means(13:34) How leaders’ needs have changed over time(21:05) Running from pain or moving toward purpose(23:50) Why familiar pain can feel safer than change(26:25) What real self-care looks like for leaders(29:55) The trap of external validation(31:55) Understanding the two kinds of tired(35:36) Why top performers burn out(37:37) Communication is more than talking(44:12) The one-on-ones that build trust Connect with Tom:Website: https://www.mixtapedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashootman/ Listen to Marketing B-Sides: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-b-sides/id1832517490 Connect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“It’s up to us to regulate ourselves first, because when you walk into a room from a regulated, open nervous system state, it’s contagious.”In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares five practical shifts that create real nervous system safety at work so people can access better thinking, creativity, and collaboration. She reframes “love vs. fear” as the difference between a protective, vigilant state and a connected, open one, then walks through what leaders can do to move teams out of constant urgency and into clarity, trust, and grounded momentum.  In this episode, you’ll learn:Why self regulation is the first leadership responsibility and how your tone, pace, and presence set the room  How clarity beats pressure and why “important” is not the same as “emergency”How to normalize real humanity, name uncertainty, and recover from mistakes without shame  Things to listen for:(00:00) Introduction(03:08) Building teams where people feel safe and seen(05:45) Regulation first your nervous system sets the tone(08:51) Clarity over pressure leading without urgency(12:13) Slow the moment down when everything feels urgent(14:24) Notice effort before you measure outcome(16:35) Normalize humanity mistakes emotions and repairConnect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/Get tickets for Stand Tall in Your Story (March 12): https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/