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Wowza. Today you are in for a treat. I’m joined by Annie Wright, LMFT—Annie is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma recovery specialist, executive coach, and author. Annie is also a successfully exited CEO of a multi-million dollar company and she now helps ambitious humans heal relational trauma so they can build lives that feel good on the inside, not just look good on paper. Annie is on Substack at Strong and Stable with a debut book on the way. She’s been quoted everywhere from Forbes to NBC to NPR. I wanted to have Annie on the show to talk about what it actually takes for high-achieving women to feel good on the inside, and not just look successful on paper and this conversation definitely did not disappoint! This episode is for the woman who: Is highly capable, deeply trusted, and visibly successful Has done everything right in the career playbook  And still feels chronically anxious, exhausted, or empty We talk about why that happens—and what actually helps. What We Cover in This Episode ✨ The “high-functioning woman” profile Why so many ambitious women learned early that achievement = safety, validation, or love—and how that wiring eventually breaks down. 🧠 Little-t vs. Big-T trauma (and why “nothing bad happened to me” is often the tell) Annie breaks down relational and developmental trauma in a way that is deeply clarifying—and deeply relieving. 🏗️ The “House of Life” metaphor Why cracks in the foundation don’t always show up early… but will show up once the house gets taller (hello promotions, leadership, parenting, visibility). 🔥 Fear-fuel and fossil fuels Why running on anxiety and over-functioning works—until it poisons everything. 🫁 Nervous system tools you can use in real life Including Annie’s powerful 90-Second Wave for high-stakes meetings and hard conversations. 🧭 The Values Anchor Statement How to ground yourself in integrity, bravery, or truth when being liked is at odds with being honest. 💬 The myth that healing will make you lose your edge (And why the most powerful leaders we know are actually surrounded by support.) Tools & Frameworks Mentioned All of these are included in her workbook here. The 90-Second Wave – a nervous-system regulation tool for moments of acute stress Values Anchor Statements – using your core values as leverage during hard conversations Judith Herman’s Three-Phase Trauma Recovery Model Safety & Stabilization Processing Meaning-Making & Integration EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) The idea that “trauma survivors have symptoms, not memories” The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk Annie’s upcoming book: Decade of Decisions (W.W. Norton, forthcoming 2027) A Line That Stayed With Me “A regulated nervous system makes more things possible—without a doubt.”

If you have ever felt unwelcome, underestimated, or like the only woman in a room full of men who seem convinced you don’t belong—this episode is for you. This week, I sit down with business advisor, speaker, and bestselling author Patty Azzarello, whose new book, Why Is She Still Here? My Ungraceful Journey from the Playground to the Boardroom tells the story of how she rose through some of the toughest, most male-dominated rooms in tech—all while battling social anxiety, subtle biases, and expectations so low she felt like she had to prove her right to exist in every meeting. In this conversation, Patty and I talk about: 🔹 The real origin story behind Why Is She Still Here? Not the marketing version—the emotional truth: what it feels like to be the woman people silently (or loudly) underestimate… and why Patty simply refused to leave. 🔹 Fear as a companion, not a disqualifier Patty shares how every major step in her career was accompanied by fear—and why courage isn’t the absence of fear but the willingness to show up anyway. 🔹 “Little Patty”: The inner-child energy that powered an executive career Her brilliant, brave younger self shows up in the book for a reason—and Patty explains how reconnecting with the child you were before the world hurt you can unlock creativity, resilience, and truth. 🔹 The invisible tax of low expectations Patty unpacks the 1963 “smart rat / stupid rat” experiment and connects it to modern corporate life in a way that will stop you in your tracks. (This one hit me hard.) 🔹 How to survive—and lead—in rooms not designed for women Patty shares stories, strategies, and the mindset that allowed her to keep standing, keep leading, and keep advancing. 🔹 Authenticity vs. being unfiltered: finding your real leadership voice Why being “all business” works—until it doesn’t. And how a simple, human question transformed Patty’s executive presence. 🔹 Why the people around you will make—or break—your career From romantic partners to friends to colleagues: who lifts you up, who drains you, and why managing your energy may matter more than managing your calendar. 🔗 Links  Patty’s Book: Why Is She Still Here? My Ungraceful Journey from the Playground to the Boardroom Patty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattyazzarello/ Patty on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patty.azzarello

My friend… if the close out of 2025 is leaving you feeling disoriented, stretched, hurried, or like that internet-famous cat with the eyes pointing in two different directions, you’re in the right place. This episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and make meaning of a year that has been a lot. We are deeply seasonal creatures — we need endings, beginnings, rituals, and space to gather our strength before a new year sweeps us up. Don’t have time to listen, but want to join in the fun? Head over to my Substack (bronwyncommunications.substack.com) and you’ll find each prompt, question, and reflection — all here for you to work through at your own pace, without needing to re-listen. Grab your pen, your calendar, and your coffee. Let’s reclaim your power, honor what 2025 taught you, and prepare your spirit for a bold, brave 2026.

What if authentic connection became the new gold standard for modern masculinity? This week, I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation that weaves together the power of connection, vulnerability, and the active work of redefining and expanding our understanding of what it means to be a man. My guest, Stephen Seidel—TEDx speaker, storyteller, brand strategist, and founder of the Gents Journey men’s collective—delivers on every level. His candor, humor, and depth make this an episode you’ll want to bookmark, share, and revisit. In this episode … Connection as Currency: Steve and I dig into the idea that real, present-moment connection (”from the heart, not from the head”) is what fuels deep relationships, community, and leadership. The Stories We Tell: We explore how our inherited family stories, personal histories, and even first names shape our sense of self, and how reframing those stories can unlock new directions. “Growth Friends”: Stephen shares the genesis of his men’s group, the importance of “growth friends,” and the transformational power of safe, structured spaces where men can talk openly (about business, marriages, grief, and everything in between). Modern Masculinity, Redefined: Through honest dialogue, we unpick generational expectations around “manliness” and what true strength means. Vulnerability, emotional awareness, and making time for fun all have a place at the table. Toolkits for Change: Whether it’s the “Journey Deck” of conversation cards, weekly meetings with spouses, or exercises borrowed from The Artist’s Way, this episode is packed with practical tools you can try this week. Helpful Links: Gent’s Journey Card Deck Men’s Group: GentsJourney.co TEDx Talk: https://rebrand.ly/seidelspeaking

What would you do if your organization became the center of a national crisis? In this episode, strategist and cultural architect Jen Randle takes us inside a five-week sprint to design a company-wide intervention for Starbucks’ 175,000 employees—and how it changed her understanding of leadership, trust, and repair forever. Jen shares what it means to build trust at the micro (self), meso (teams), and macro (systems) levels—and why most leaders wait until a full-blown crisis to start thinking about it. She explains why trust isn’t a “soft skill” but a business multiplier, how storytelling with integrity builds psychological safety, and why true repair starts with aligning your head, heart, and gut. Whether you’re leading through disruption, guiding a team after layoffs, or simply trying to rebuild confidence in your culture, this conversation is a masterclass in becoming the signal in the noise. In this episode: The inside story of Starbucks’ 2018 trust-repair initiative Why trust isn’t performative How leaders can embody their company’s stated values The power of storytelling with integrity Jen’s framework for trust mapping and “intrinsic wayfinding” Helpful Links: A Story of Access Stanley Nelson film for Starbucks Jen Randle - SGNL Advisory; and connect with her on Instagram, Substack WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addresses player criticism, CBA, officiating, job security, The Athletic

Last week, in Part 1 of this series, we talked about the broken workflow most of us use to prepare for presentations — the one that looks like this: procrastinate → panic → recycle an old deck → cram → survive. Sound familiar? The good news: great presenting isn’t as binary as innate talent — it’s about having a workflow that brings out the best in you and your ideas. And today, I’m giving you the full workflow — the step-by-step system I’ve refined over 20 years coaching leaders at NVIDIA, Zoom, LinkedIn, Cisco, Stanford University, Pixar, and more. It’s also the same process that’s helped over 140 speakers deliver game-changing TED, TEDx, and TEDGlobal talks. Need free detailed shownotes with the framework all in one spot? Head over to https://bronwyncommunications.substack.com/ See you there!

If you’ve ever found yourself procrastinating until the night before a big presentation, frantically cramming slides together, and then white-knuckling your way through the delivery…you’re not alone. The truth is, most of us were taught (or fell into) a broken workflow for preparing talks. We procrastinate, panic, recycle old decks, and overload our audiences with information. No wonder presenting feels stressful — and no wonder audiences struggle to stay engaged. But here’s the good news: great communication isn’t about innate talent. It’s about having the right workflow. In this week’s episode of 20 Minutes with Bronwyn, I share the first three steps of a system I’ve honed over 20 years coaching leaders at NVIDIA, Zoom, LinkedIn, Cisco, Stanford, Pixar, and more. I’ve also used this exact approach to help more than 140 people give TED, TEDx, and TEDGlobal talks that change the way audiences see the world. Here’s what you’ll learn in Part 1: Why procrastination + panic is its own (terrible) workflow How today’s shrinking attention spans demand a new way of preparing Step 1: The Logistics Check — the baseline questions that save you from nasty surprises. And here’s a PDF of that checklist handy and printable. Step 2: Audience Empathy — the mindset shift that changes everything about how your message lands. Step 3: The Sandbox — a game-changing way to collect ideas, inspiration, and data so your subconscious can work with you instead of against you. This is the foundation for upgrading how you show up as a communicator. Whether you’re presenting to your team, pitching an idea, or stepping onto a big stage, these simple shifts will make the process less stressful — and your talks infinitely more powerful. Need a quick breakdown of the episode? Here ya go … 00:00 Introduction to 20 Minutes with Bronwyn 01:23 Debunking the Myth of Innate Talent in Communication 03:20 The Old Workflow: Why It Fails 04:41 Introducing the my 24k Workflow 05:23 Step One: The Logistics Check 12:05 Step Two: Audience Empathy 17:23 Step Three: Creating a Sandbox 21:05 Conclusion and Next Steps And stay tuned — in Part 2, I’ll show you how to move from a pile of ideas to a structured, compelling presentation that actually lands. Shine on. We need your light! Bronwyn

✨ We’re Back! Season 6 is Here ✨ Friends, I’m thrilled to share that the podcast is back for Season 6 — and we’re kicking things off with a powerhouse conversation that I cannot wait for you to hear. This season is about sharpening our communication edge, nourishing our creativity, and finding new ways to thrive in a world that seems busier (and noisier) than ever. And who better to launch with than Natalie Nixon? 🎙️ Episode 134: Move, Think, Rest: The Anti-Hustle Framework That's Replacing Productivity Culture My guest today is Natalie Nixon, PhD — creativity strategist, president of Figure 8 Thinking, and one of the most generous, provocative thinkers I know. Natalie has spent her career helping leaders and organizations unlock creativity as a strategic advantage. She’s the author of The Creativity Leap and her brand-new book Move. Think. Rest.:Redefining Productivity & Our Relationship with Time, which reframes how we think about productivity, burnout, and flourishing. In our conversation, we dive into: Why “real rest” is a radical act — and why most of us have never actually witnessed it. How daydreaming and procrastination aren’t signs of laziness but tools for sharper thinking. What Taylorism (the stopwatch-on-the-factory-floor era) has to do with our guilt around taking breaks. The Motor Framework — Natalie’s elegant approach to work rooted in move, think, rest. The difference between Chronos time (clock time) and Kairos time (time outside of time — the magic moments). Why intuition is not woo-woo, but actually grounded in neuroscience and the vagus nerve. Practical rituals to bring creativity back into your workflow: from Bill Gates’ “think weeks” to gamifying daydreaming. How rethinking meetings can transform culture (Zapier’s no-meeting week, question-storming, the law of two feet). The power of collective effervescence — how joy with others fuels our best work. Want links to resources mentioned in the show? Head on over to my Substack! Shine on, my friend. We need your light!

Today I am talking with the sensational Shira Gill about her  gorgeous new book, Lifestyled: Your Guide to a More Organized and Intentional Life. Shira Gill is a globally recognized home organizing expert and bestselling author with a minimalist philosophy. She has inspired thousands of people to clear clutter from their homes and lives, and developed a process and toolkit that anyone can employ, regardless of budget, space, or lifestyle. In addition to LifeStyled, Shira is the author of Minimalista and Organized Living, and has been featured in 100+ print and media outlets including Good Morning America, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Real Simple, and The New York Times.  For her latest book, Shira interviewed some of the most intentional, organized people on the planet and found there were three KEY themes running through each of their lives. Fascinated, and inspired by what she had learned, she began to apply these same themes in her own life, and watched the subsequent transformation. Lifestyled gives us access to these themes, along with the systems and habits that will unlock a more intentional life. Here’s how to find Shira: Links: www.shiragill.com  @shiragill Newsletter + Community   Books: Organized Living Minimalista LifeStyled This conversation with Shira was so clarifying, I’ve decided to wind down Season 5  in order to regroup and recharge on the podcast front. I will pick it up again in early 2025.  So grateful for your time and your presence. Shine on, my friend. We need your light!B

DR. MARTHA BECK IS ON MY SHOW THIS WEEK!!!!!!   Sorry. I have ZERO chill about this episode.   If it were a Friends episode, it would be called:   The One Where Bronwyn Meets Her Hero and Learns to Stop Being So Anxious.   Or maybe   The One When Dr. Martha Beck Changes All of Our Lives and Cures Our Anxieties.   But, because I am trying to act like a grown up and not a teenage fangirl, the episode is actually called Beyond Anxiety: My Conversation with Dr. Martha Beck.   Every few years, Martha Beck publishes a book that melts my face off with its insight and warmth (ahem The Way of Integrity, The Joy Diet, Steering by Starlight), and I am THRILLED to share that she is about to do it again.    This time, Dr. Beck is tackling the issue of our modern age with her new book Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose, which will drop January 7, 2025.   This conversation was everything I hoped it would be and has profoundly impacted the way I move through my life. My hope is that it does the same for you.   In case you’ve been living under a rock and you’re not familiar with her work, let me break it down …   Dr. Martha Beck, PhD, is a New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker. She holds THREE Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality. Her recent book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was an instant New York Times Best Seller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection.   Here’s where you can find her on the Interwebs … (and I can personally recommend her online courses. I’m still using the skills I learned from a writing course I took years ago):   Dr. Beck's Website:  https://marthabeck.com Dr. Beck's upcoming book: Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose IG: https://www.instagram.com/themarthabeck/   Shine on, my friend. We need your light.

VERY few people have appeared on my podcast as many times as my guest this week, Dr. Adam Dorsay. We’ve talked about men and their emotions … we’ve talked about the power of adult friendship … Adam helped guide us during the early days of the pandemic … and NOW he is here to help us become SUPER PSYCHED, which also happens to be the title of his new book. Adam wrote this book in an effort to help us solve the great crisis of our time—disconnection. He makes an incredibly compelling argument that if you look at what ails us the most, it can be traced back to disconnection. But rather than simply worship the problem, Adam has written us a roadmap describing the 4 types of connection, allowing us to find our way back to each other and to ourselves so that we can live lives we love. This conversation will inspire you and unlock a whole new level of joy in your life. In case you’re new around here, let me give you some background on Adam. Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist and executive coach in Silicon Valley where he serves high-achieving adults (including professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes). Adam is the host of SuperPsyched, an award-winning podcast, and he’s given two highly regarded TEDx Talks: one about men and their emotions and the other about friendship in adulthood. His book on the topic of the four ways people connect will be available later this year. Beyond his private practice, Adam is a resiliency expert who co-created an international program for Facebook’s Online Safety employees for several years. He now serves as the resiliency consultant to DigitalOcean and has frequent requests from the media for interviews and corporations to provide keynotes and training.   Resources Mentioned✨ Adamdorsay,com Super Psyched Podcast Super Psyched Book "Friendships in Adulthood: 5 Things to Know" "Emotions: The Data Men Miss" Dr. Adam Dorsay’s Instagram Shine on, my friend. We need your light!

I love having conversations with smart, powerful women about money.    This time, I turn my focus to funding and fundraising. And I am delighted to have Jessie Gabriel as my wingwoman. Jessie Gabriel is founder and CEO of All Places, a first-of-its-kind, mission-driven law firm working to close the gender equity gap in capital markets.   Jessie and I covered a lot of ground, including:   Her “money story” and how this story affected her. How female and female-identifying founders are affected by negative money stories, and how to shift those negative narratives into strategies that get them funded.  How male founders typically think about growth and scale and what we can learn from them (or unlearn from them). How we can focus on those things we can control in fundraising environments that often seem rigged (and NOT in our favor).   What I loved most about this conversation was learning how Jessie was raised by a single working mother in Southern California, a woman who struggled economically to provide for her family. In other words, Jessie's success comes with a deep appreciation of how gender norms and unequal access to capital contribute to a systemic lack of opportunities for women-identifying entrepreneurs and executives. Jessie has worked at some of the country’s most prestigious firms, including Cravath, Swaine & Moore and BakerHostetler, where she was the youngest woman to lead her own team and launched the firm’s first Investment Funds practice. Her wisdom and words are solid gold, and I can’t wait to share them with you.   Resources ✨   Jessie's LinkedIn   All Places Website   All Places Instagram   The Outset Branding Firm   Shine on, my friend! ✨

I am thrilled to bring you a conversation I’ve been dying to have. Ophira Edut is one of the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologers for ELLE Magazine and the authors of over 20 books, Ophira and her twin sister Tali are advisors to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs including Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Emma Roberts. Ophi and Tali have a NEW new book coming out that has been described as “Atomic Habits meets the Wisdom of the Enneagram” and let me tell ya … it delivers on that promise. The book is called The Astrology Advantage: Use Your Horoscope for Personal & Professional Success and it drops NEXT WEEK! I’ve always loved the Enneagram, Meyers Briggs and DISC for understanding our collective differences, but it’s overwhelming to try and remember all of the permutations and personality types as you navigate difficult conversations and situations.  Ophi is here to teach us The I*AM System, a simple, easy to remember framework that distills the energy of your full birth chart into a single archetype, unlocking personal productivity, and team harmony. It's simple (just THREE archetypes to remember), *deep* and shockingly accurate. And if you’re clutching your pearls, wondering what a "serious" business person like me is doing dabbling in astrology … unclutch and give this a listen.  Resources Mentioned ✨ Astrostyle.com The Astrology Advantage Live Events with the Astrotwins Follow Ophi on Instagram Follow the Astrotwins on Instagram Shine on, my friend.

I’ve got another banger from the archives … The topic of adult friendship is one we don’t talk about nearly enough, especially given that loneliness is actually as dangerous as smoking. This conversation was deep, real, and vulnerable as Adam and I spoke plainly about our own struggles and wins in the friendship sphere. In case you don’t know him, Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist and executive coach in Silicon Valley where he serves high-achieving adults (including professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes). Adam is the host of SuperPsyched, an award-winning podcast, and he’s given two highly regarded TEDx Talks: one about men and their emotions and the other about friendship in adulthood. His book on the topic of the four ways people connect will be available later this year. Beyond his private practice, Adam is a resiliency expert who co-created an international program for Facebook’s Online Safety employees for several years. He now serves as the resiliency consultant to DigitalOcean and has frequent requests from the media for interviews and corporations to provide keynotes and training.   Resources Mentioned✨ Adamdorsay,com   Super Psyched Podcast   Super Psyched Book   "Friendships in Adulthood: 5 Things to Know"   "Emotions: The Data Men Miss"   Dr. Adam Dorsay’s Instagram   The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm   Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell   Authentic Happiness - University of Pennsylvania   Enjoy, and shine on, my friend. We need your light.

Given the intense amount of travel I am doing this month (both for work and for fun), I’m giving myself a little breathing room and offering you some greatest hits—two of my most popular episodes of all time. Occupying the number one spot on 20 Minutes with Bronwyn is none other than the magnificent Corey Rosen. Corey’s book, Your Story Well Told: Creative Strategies to Develop and Perform Stories that Wow an Audience, is one I recommend to anyone looking to enhance their storytelling skills. Corey hosts The Moth Story Slam and Grand Slams, has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour, and is a company performer in BATS Improv. It’s no wonder this episode was so popular … Corey offers powerful, practical, and (dare I say) fun advice and strategies for telling better stories.   Resources Mentioned✨   Coreyrosen.com   Follow Corey on Facebook   Follow Corey on Instagram   BATS Improv   Your Story, Well Told: Creative Strategies to Develop and Perform Stories that Wow an Audience   The Moth StorySLAM   Ken Adams’ The Story Spine   Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks   Ira Glass on Creativity   Enjoy, my friends and may your summer be full of great stories in the making! ✨