Season 2, Episode 10: The Radical Act of Doing Something That Goes Somewhere—Slowly (releases January 22, 2026)

What if the most radical thing a leader could do is slow down—on purpose?

In this week’s episode of The Leadership Break, I share how making a temperature blanket—one small row each day—has become a quiet lesson in patience, commitment, and modeling a sustainable pace. A reflection for leaders in the middle who are learning to trust progress that unfolds slowly, but surely.

Season 2, Episode 9: Mentoring without a Pedestal – Guiding while Still Becoming (releases January 8, 2026)

Mentorship isn’t about having it all figured out — it’s about walking alongside others with honesty and presence. In this episode of The Leadership Break, we explore how to mentor without a pedestal, while you’re still growing too.

Season 2, Episode 8: The Power of Staying – Leading When Work Feels Ordinary

In a culture that celebrates constant change and reinvention, staying can feel like falling behind. In this episode, Paula explores the quiet strength of leadership rooted in consistency, presence, and depth.

You’ll hear why ordinary seasons often hold the greatest impact, how to distinguish staying from settling, and what it looks like to renew your sense of purpose without needing a dramatic pivot. This episode is an invitation to honor commitment, tend what still matters, and trust the power of leading with steadiness.

Season 2, Episode 7: The Moment You Outgrow a Role

Sometimes leadership growth shows up as restlessness, discomfort, or the quiet sense that you’ve learned what you came here to learn. In this episode, we explore the subtle signs you’ve outgrown a role—and how to discern what’s next with honesty, courage, and compassion.

Season 2, Episode 6 – Tiny Shifts, Big Difference

In the middle seasons of leadership, the most powerful changes are often the smallest ones. In this episode of The Leadership Break, we explore how brief pauses, gentle rituals, and tiny moments of awareness can help you reset your nervous system and reconnect with what matters.

You don’t need a full day off or a major life overhaul to feel like yourself again — sometimes all it takes is one deep breath, a sip of tea, or a sentence that brings you back home to your center.

Season 2, Episode 5 – When the Inner Critic Evolves

This week, we’re exploring how self-talk shifts as we grow in leadership. The inner critic doesn’t disappear—it becomes quieter, more sophisticated, and surprisingly helpful when we learn to listen with curiosity. I share a simple 4-step practice to notice your inner voice, understand what it’s protecting, and invite a wiser one forward.

Season 2, Episode 4 – The Hidden Joys of Leadership

The middle stretch of leadership can feel heavy—full of invisible labor and unseen effort. But tucked inside that weight are moments of joy that make it worth it.

This week on The Leadership Break, I’m exploring the hidden joys of leadership—the overlooked moments, quiet wins, and small breakthroughs that sustain us when the challenges feel overwhelming.

Take a pause with me, and let’s remember why the work matters.

Season 2, Episode 3 – The Cost of Carrying it All

Leadership has a way of sneaking onto our shoulders until the weight feels normal — until it isn’t. In my latest episode of The Leadership Break, I talk about the hidden cost of carrying it all and how small, intentional pauses can restore the energy you need to keep leading with heart. If you’ve been running on empty, this one’s for you.

Season 2, Episode 2 – What it’s like to lead from the Middle

In this short episode, I explore the often-invisible labor leaders carry behind the scenes – the emotional weight, unspoken expectations, and the stretch of responsibility that few acknowledge. If you’ve ever felt tired in a way rest doesn’t fix, this one’s for you.

Season 2, Episode 1 – The Myth of Balance

Balance isn’t the goal—it’s a myth. In the first episode of Season 2 of The Leadership Break, I share why chasing balance can leave us overwhelmed, and what to focus on instead: clarity and choice. Take a breath—you don’t have to carry it all. Just what matters most right now.

Season 1

Season 1, Episode 1 – Redefining Success

In this inaugural episode of The Leadership Break, host Paula Chapulis, an ICF-certified coach, explores the importance of redefining success and taking intentional breaks. This podcast is a space for leaders who dedicate themselves to others but sometimes struggle with self-doubt, burnout, or the weight of responsibility. Paula shares her personal journey of healing from burnout and provides practical steps to help leaders reconnect with their purpose, set boundaries, and create their own definition of success.

Season 1, Episode 2 – Imposter Syndrome

In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that resonates with so many leaders: Imposter Syndrome. Whether it’s a subtle background noise in your mind or a full-blown self-doubt spiral, imposter syndrome can affect how you lead and live.

Season 1, Episode 3 – The Power of Pause

In this episode Paula dives into the concept of the pause and why it’s a game-changer for leaders and coaches alike. Paula shares insights from her journey toward becoming a Master Certified Coach (MCC) and reflects on the importance of slowing down to foster deeper connections, encourage team growth, and enhance problem-solving.

Season 1, Episode 4 – Becoming Your Future Self

In this episode, we explore the powerful practice of connecting with your future self—a concept that bridges the gap between your present actions and long-term aspirations.

Whether you’re starting a new year, entering a new season of life, or grappling with a tough decision, this episode invites you to envision your future self and consider what they might need or want you to know today. Through insights and a guided exercise, you’ll discover how this practice can help you gain clarity, reduce stress, and align with your long-term goals.

Season 1, Episode 5 – Why Identity Shapes Great Leadership

In this episode, Paula dives into the critical topic of identity in leadership. Your identity as a leader influences your values, priorities, behaviors, and ultimately, the culture and impact you create. Paula explores five key areas where identity plays a pivotal role in leadership: authenticity, self-awareness, resilience, vision and influence, and inclusivity.

Whether you hold a formal leadership title or not, adopting a leadership mindset can transform how you approach challenges, inspire others, and make decisions. Tune in to discover how understanding and embracing your identity can elevate your leadership journey.

Season 1, Epidsode 6 – Are you Really Listening?

In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula Chapulis dives into the art of active listening—a foundational yet often overlooked leadership skill. Discover how mastering active listening can transform your team’s communication, foster trust, and boost performance. Paula shares personal insights, practical tips, and actionable strategies to help you enhance this critical skill in your leadership journey.

Season 1, Episode 7 – The Truth about Self Care for Leaders

In this episode, we’re rethinking self-care—not as external luxuries like vacations or spa days, but as an inside job. Leaders, you carry the emotional weight of your teams, organizations, and missions, and true self-care starts with how you treat yourself internally.

We’ll explore:
– How your inner dialogue impacts your leadership.
– The role of self-compassion in building resilience.
– Practical strategies to manage self-criticism and reframe negative thoughts.
– The power of emotional awareness and how to process challenging feedback.

You set the tone for your team—so what kind of weather do you bring? Let’s dive in and discover how internal self-care sustains strong and effective leadership.

Season 1, Episode 8 – Leading through Grief (Part 1)

Navigating leadership while experiencing personal loss is one of the toughest challenges a leader can face. In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula share’s her personal experience of leading while grieving, as well as practical strategies to support yourself as a leader during times of loss. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In this episode, we focus on how you can manage your own grief while continuing to lead effectively. In Part 2, we’ll explore ways to support team members who are grieving.

Season 1, Episode 9 – Leading through Grief (Part 2)

In this episode, we continue exploring leadership through grief, focusing on how to support a team member navigating their own grief journey. We’ll discuss how to foster both personal growth and team well-being, offering flexibility, connecting with resources, and maintaining the delicate balance between empathy and professionalism. Leaders who create a safe space and provide genuine support can transform challenges into opportunities for collective growth.

Season 1, Episode 10 – Behind the Break: When you Want to Quit (but don’t)

In this special Behind the Break episode, Paula steps out from behind the mic to share a raw and honest moment from her own leadership journey.

Ever found yourself whispering, “I can’t do this anymore”? This episode is for you.

Paula opens up about a recent season of emotional fatigue—not quite burnout, but something heavy—and the quiet yet powerful decisions she made to return to herself. She talks about what happens when leaders get tired, how to listen to what exhaustion is really saying, and why taking a break doesn’t mean giving up.

From reworking her schedule to asking a hard question—what part of me wants to quit?—this episode is an invitation to reflect, recalibrate, and reclaim your energy.

Season 1, Episode 11 – Delivering Difficult Feedback with Compassion

In this episode, we’re diving into a challenge every leader faces but few feel equipped to handle: delivering difficult feedback.

Paula shares real coaching insights and introduces a practical, human-centered approach to handling tough conversations with clarity, empathy, and courage. You’ll walk away with a powerful model to guide your next feedback conversation—and maybe even shift how you think about feedback altogether.

Season 1, Episode 12 – Hard Conversations and Money Wounds

In this episode of The Leadership Break, Paula shares what she’s been reflecting on while reading The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher and Make Money Easy by Lewis Howes. From navigating tough conversations to healing money wounds, she offers personal stories and coaching insights that connect the dots between communication, self-worth, and leadership.

Season 1, Episode 13 – Behind the Break: Something to Leave Behind

This week’s episode is a little more personal. Paula share’s why she really started The Leadership Break—not just for leaders in the arena, but for her daughters. It’s about legacy, voice, and what we leave behind through our work, our words, and our presence.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your story matters—it does.

Season 1, Episode 14 – Wrap Up

Welcome to the Season 1 wrap-up of The Leadership Break.  In this episode, Paula reflects on what this season has meant for her, and maybe for you too.

We’ve explored:

• How to redefine success on your own terms

• What to do when imposter syndrome creeps in

• How to lead through burnout, grief, and doubt

• Why vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom

• And how presence and compassion are leadership superpowers

Key Takeaways:
✔ Rest is not weakness—it’s leadership fuel
✔ You don’t have to do it all to be doing it well
✔ Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.