In this episode, host Brandon Laws sits down with executive coach and author Susanne Madsen to explore what it truly means to do the inner work. Drawing from her career in high pressure corporate environments, Susanne shares how chronic stress, misalignment with personal values, and ignored emotions can quietly erode well being and performance.

The conversation highlights practical tools leaders can use to regulate their nervous system, challenge limiting beliefs, create space for reflection, and rebuild their energy through simple daily routines. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for sustainable ways to show up better for yourself and your team, this episode offers grounded and actionable insights.

Key Timestamps

00:00  Welcome and episode introduction
01:00  Why inner work matters in modern leadership
02:30  Susanne's experience with chronic stress and early warning signs
04:00  Ignoring emotional signals and wearing stress as a badge of honor
05:30  The moment she considered a sabbatical and how it shifted everything
06:30  Self sabotaging patterns and the belief that stress is "part of the game"
07:30  Near burnout and the internal voice that pushed her to take a break
08:00  How coaching opened the door to deeper awareness
09:00  Uncovering limiting beliefs and the process of coaching yourself first
10:30  What clients bring to coaching and how overwhelm shows up
11:30  Understanding values alignment and how people intuitively sense misalignment
13:00  The role of boundaries in preventing overload
14:00  The habit of saying yes and immediate regret
15:00  Why beliefs carry so much power in behavior and decision making
17:00  How to pause and sit with uncomfortable emotions
18:30  Techniques to acknowledge feelings so they dissipate
19:30  Why self compassion is difficult for many people
20:30  Finding your happy place as a foundation for inner work
22:30  How nature and silence support emotional processing
24:00  Identifying the tasks or relationships that drain energy
25:30  Rebuilding energy with small, meaningful activities
27:00  Introducing breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation
28:30  Coherent breathing and why it changes your physiology
30:00  Daily practice and how breath sets the stage for clarity
31:00  Meditation for training the mind and interrupting negative thought cycles
33:00  Using imagery and awareness to return to center
34:00  Combating negativity bias with gratitude
35:30  Noticing the small wins and everyday "miracles"
37:00  Rewiring the brain and shifting perspective over time
38:00  Encouragement to seek external help when needed
39:00  Final reflections and Susanne's closing advice
40:00  Ways to connect with Susanne and learn more about her work

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words:
"The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience.
Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/

Connect with Brandon Laws

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon
About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws

Connect with Xenium HR

Website: https://xeniumhr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR