Episodes

What if your New Year goals came with a built in “rerouting” button instead of a shame spiral? In this thought provoking episode, Susan and Tessa use the GPS metaphor to reframe broken resolutions and missed intentions as normal detours, not failures. They talk about ditching all or nothing promises, choosing smaller time bound goals, and doing honest status checks to ask what is working, what is not, and why. Listeners will hear practical encouragement to give themselves grace, adjust their rou...

Have you ever felt buried under drama, emails, and constant demands, unsure what actually deserves your attention? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the difference between “noise” that drains leaders and “signals” that clarify what truly matters. They unpack how reactivity grows when you let every complaint, policy twist, or rumor set the agenda, and how intentional leaders instead slow down, get curious, and focus on core priorities and impact. Listeners will hear practical ideas for nam...

What if the questions you ask could completely change the conversations you have with your team? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of well chosen questions to reveal real obstacles, surface unspoken concerns, and invite deeper reflection. Drawing on favorites like: “What is one obstacle slowing you down this week?”, “What are we not talking about that we should be?” And “If you were watching this like a movie, what would you notice about your reactions?”, they show how differe...

Feeling endlessly busy but not truly productive? In this “Work Smarter, Not Harder” episode of the Dips of Doubt series, Susan Rosenthal and Tessa Brock walk leaders through a practical four step audit to rethink their daily work, separate legal and mandated tasks from self imposed routines, and identify what can finally come off the plate. Using insights from Dr. Cota’s leadership work, they explore how to align tasks with core goals, delegate more effectively, confront avoidance habits, and se...

What would your team say it feels like to be led by you? In this reflective episode, Susan and Tessa invite leaders to step into their employees’ shoes and honestly consider how their presence, stress, clarity, and care are experienced day to day. Inspired by a Daily Dad article and classroom memories, they explore questions about fairness, transparency, gratitude, and whether leaders truly grow others or just manage tasks. Listeners will hear a thoughtful framework for strengthening self-awaren...

Have you ever wondered how far a simple “I see you” can carry a tired team member? In this New Year episode, Susan and Tessa revisit the power of everyday recognition and explain why gratitude cannot be confined to a single month or appreciation day. They connect appreciation to “happy chemicals” in the brain, stronger motivation, and a deeper sense of belonging, then share practical ways leaders can notice and name effort in real time. Listeners will hear ideas like quick personal emails, handw...

Have you ever walked out of a meeting and realized no one is actually sure who is doing what next? In this episode, Susan and Tessa shine a light on the simple but often skipped step that turns good conversations into real progress: clear ownership. They explore how unassigned tasks lead to duplicated efforts, missed deadlines, and frustrated teams, and offer practical ways to build accountability into every meeting. Listeners will hear ideas for using tools like scribes or AI generated notes, n...

Have you ever noticed how some people shine brightly at work while others seem to flicker or fade? In this episode, Susan and Tessa use the simple image of a flashlight to explore what it really looks like to help team members keep their “light” on and strong. They share stories about matching roles to strengths, honoring different learning styles, and noticing when someone’s energy is low instead of assuming they do not care. Listeners will hear practical ideas for offering the right “battery” ...

Have you ever known something needed to change but felt stuck in the chaos between awareness and action? To kick off the new year, Susan and Tessa unpack why change so often feels messy and disruptive, even when it is exactly what is needed. They explore the difference between noticing a problem and actually building a plan, including how to clarify the “why,” create realistic steps, and check progress along the way. Listeners will hear practical ideas for getting buy in, supporting people throu...

What do you do when the words “I am disappointed in your leadership” are aimed directly at you? In this episode, Susan and Tessa walk through a raw and honest story about painful feedback and how it became a turning point instead of a dead end. They introduce a simple “feedback filter” that helps leaders pause instead of defend, get curious, and sort what they hear into what fits for growth and what belongs to someone else’s incomplete picture. Listeners will learn how to ask for specific examp...

Have you ever shared a “clear” idea only to realize no one else was seeing what you saw in your head? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore what it really takes to build understanding, not just deliver information. They talk about how leaders often carry fully baked ideas around for days, then share them in a few quick sentences and expect everyone to catch up instantly. Listeners will learn practical ways to slow down, make the invisible visible, check for shared meaning, and invite questio...

What if the spiciest thing at the holiday table is not the food but the conversation? In this episode, Susan and Tessa use the phrase “pass the gravy” as a playful doorway into handling uncomfortable topics that bubble up at family gatherings, staff parties, and social events. They share practical phrases for setting gentle boundaries, ideas for regulating before you respond, and ways to stay curious instead of combative when opinions clash. Listeners will learn how to match their energy with th...

Have you ever been so tired you decided the bug gets to win today? In this episode, Susan and Tessa share a hilarious “bathroom cockroach” story that becomes a surprising metaphor for leadership, limits, and self compassion. They explore those days when you simply do not have it in you to fix one more thing, and why it is sometimes wise to walk away, regroup, and save your energy for what really matters. Listeners will hear practical encouragement to choose their battles, hit the reset button, a...

Who is quietly watching you lead and wondering if they could ever do what you do? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore what it really means to grow future leaders instead of just hoping they appear when a role opens up. They reflect on their own journeys from insecure, “do it all myself” leaders to mentors who share decisions, power, and opportunities so others can stretch and shine. Listeners will gain practical ideas for spotting untapped talent, inviting people into small leadership momen...

What if the story everyone is repeating is not even true, but still shaping your culture? In this important episode, Susan and Tessa wade into the messy world of rumors and workplace gossip, where half told truths and anxious assumptions can quietly erode trust. Through honest reflection and real examples, they show how easily leaders and teams get swept into dramatic narratives that confirm old biases instead of checking the facts. Listeners will hear practical language for pausing the swirl, ...

What if your most valuable leadership tool is simply the questions you ask after something happens? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into After Action Reviews as a practical way to turn both wins and missteps into real learning and momentum. They walk through how a few focused questions about what was intended, what actually occurred, and why it unfolded that way can shift a team from blame to curiosity and growth. Listeners will hear a powerful story of a leader who gathered their team aft...

Have you ever sent an email that felt helpful to you but landed as snarky to someone else? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the hidden tone behind everyday phrases like “I am just circling back” and “Not sure you saw my last message,” and how those words can sound passive aggressive depending on the relationship and timing. They explore why intention, context, and connection matter just as much as content, and how a quick pause before you hit send can protect trust. Listeners will hear pr...

What happens to a hard conversation when your face says one thing and your words say another? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how a single expression can either calm a situation or send someone into emotional quicksand, especially when emotions are already running high. Through a powerful story about a scared child and a high stakes leadership meeting, they show how a grounded, soft face can help others regulate, feel safe, and stay open to feedback. You will learn why “watching your fa...

In this episode, Susan and Tessa introduce the F.O.R.D. method as a simple but powerful framework to turn small talk into real connection. Using stories from their own experiences as reluctant minglers and thoughtful leaders, they show how asking about Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams can ease awkward moments and open meaningful conversations. Listeners will hear practical ideas for staying curious, remembering details that matter, and gently stepping out of their comfort zone in socia...

Is your tank of energy feeling low as a leader? In this episode, Susan and Tessa use a simple trip to the gas station to spark a deeper conversation about energy, time, and how leaders care for themselves. Through a memorable travel story and an honest look at running on fumes, they invite you to notice your own “gas gauge” and what drains or refills it. You will hear practical ideas for quick refuels, like small moments of laughter, short walks, or tiny habits that take just a few minutes but m...

What if you could untangle stressful choices and quiet your mind with just a few minutes of pen on paper each morning? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the world of decision fatigue and unlock a simple tool for finding clarity. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s transformative book The Artist’s Way, and Amanda Reill’s article A Simple Way to Make Better Decisions, they introduce the morning pages practice. You will hear how three pages of free writing, done first thing in the day, can sweep awa...

Step into the spaces where energy fades, clarity slips away, and frustration takes center stage. In this episode, Susan and Tessa peel back the layers of burnout and overwhelm to reveal what truly helps leaders find their way back to balance. You will hear relatable confessions and practical resets, from writing things down when everything feels tangled to pausing for a brief walk or a grateful thought when the day loses focus. The hosts show how choosing compassion over criticism, telling yours...

Do you ever question if you are really up to the challenge? In this open and honest episode, Susan and Tessa explore the universal experience of self-doubt and reveal why it is a sign of caring and growth, not weakness. They invite listeners to name their doubt, embrace it as a moment in time, and replace harsh self-judgment with grace. Through stories, practical reflection, and warm encouragement, you will learn how to pause, reconnect with your purpose, and use those “dips” as data to grow str...

How many emails have you sent that missed the mark entirely? In this playful and thought-provoking episode, Susan and Tessa reveal the hidden habits and honest blunders that happen behind every “send” button. Through stories about emoji-overload, missed messages, and the struggle to find brevity when every word feels important, they invite listeners to rethink how they communicate with others. The conversation digs into why clarity matters as much as kindness, and why slowing down to truly unde...