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We’ve all heard it: “Bring your whole self to work.” Or maybe it’s “Show up as your best self.” Lately, though, the conversation has started to shift. Some people are pushing back—saying that maybe your “whole self” isn’t what every space needs. In this episode, Ryan and Vic unpack what’s behind these buzzwords and explore how to navigate authenticity, discernment, and emotional intelligence in real life.

Together, they explore the differences between your whole self, best self, and higher self—and what it looks like to choose which version of you to bring forward based on context, safety, and purpose. The conversation moves from the pitfalls of unfiltered “wholeness,” to the exhaustion of trying to be your “best” all the time, to the power of showing up from your higher self—that calm, aware part of you that acts with alignment and service, not ego.

It’s a thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly real take on what it actually means to “bring yourself” to the world—and how to do it without losing who you are in the process.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Victoria Mattingly on authenticity + emotional intelligence
• Dr. Paige Williams on focusing on your true self
• Go Coach Yourself: Self-Awareness, part of EQ (helpful pairing)

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk