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  • 13 | The Power of Pausing Explained

    13 | The Power of Pausing Explained

    · When We Pause

    What if the clarity you’re seeking isn’t found by running faster, but by learning how to really pause?

    Join Charles Achampong, the gentle but direct voice behind "When We Pause," as he closes the season with intimate life lessons that invite leaders to break free from high-speed autopilot. Zero guesswork, just grounded insights on three quiet game-changers, reclaiming imagination, building “failure immunity,” and the underestimated superpower of mindful pausing.

    This solo episode rises out of lived experience, not theory, challenging us to rewrite tired scripts about speed, risk, and recovery so you can finally feel aligned again.

    Listen now because real transformation starts with one brave pause. Every minute you spend stuck in the old loop is a minute stolen from the leader and life you could have. This is wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else and the season finale you can’t afford to skip.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – What if you didn’t need a passport—or a sabbatical—to experience a life-changing pause?

    [02:24] – The compliment that Charles Achampong wasn’t ready for and how it shifted everything

    [04:51] – The everyday superpower you’ve secretly lost (and how to reclaim it, courtesy of a child’s truth bomb)

    [08:42] – Kids imagine possibility, adults imagine consequences—why?

    [12:41] – The one question that can ignite everything you thought was impossible

    [15:06] – Why Gmail is secretly your best teacher about the micro-pause we all need

    [19:28] – When pausing is painful: facing failure, confronting “that loop” and how to escape it

    [26:40] – Borrow this mindset from a child to unlock your next bold move

    Resources MentionedApple Podcasts (education category rankings)“Failure Immunity” conceptAround the World Trip (family sabbatical)
    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 12 | Naki Osutei – How to Thrive and Energize Your Career

    12 | Naki Osutei – How to Thrive and Energize Your Career

    · When We Pause

    Have you ever wondered what happens when you finally hit pause... and life refuses to go back to “normal”?

    In this luminous, no-filter conversation, Charles Achampong welcomes transformational leader Naki Osutei for a rare behind-the-scenes exploration into powerful reinvention, the hidden cost of relentless achievement, and the deep lessons you only learn by letting go. They unpack surprising truths about burnout, the messy grace of transition, and why habits and the courage to pause shape your future far more than title or performance.

    If you’re craving clarity, longing for a more intentional life, or wrestling with losing your identity in the pursuit of ambition, pause with us. Don’t risk wasting months on autopilot. This episode brings both soulful stories and practical tools you simply won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in now and reclaim the wisdom in your own pause.

    Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – When was the last time you let yourself start over on purpose?[01:02] – The art of reinvention: surviving (and thriving) through all the pivots[04:21] – The “accidental” leadership moment at sixteen that changed everything[10:13] – The voice you need when Imposter Syndrome shouts the loudest[18:01] – The lifequake year: cancer, pandemic, and burning the playbook[23:01] – Burnout’s hidden warning signs and a prescription you can’t ignore[27:23] – How “practice-based culture” unexpectedly transforms teams and lives[35:10] – Letting go of status: why identity loss just might become your freedom[44:28] – One question to ask when you feel restless or off-mission
    Resources MentionedDiverseCity FellowsCivicActionTD BankCIBCDon Staley – Uncommon Favor (book)Richard FloridaJulia Cameron – The Artist's Way (book)Capacity Canada
    About the Guest

    Naki Osutei is the Founder and Principal of PRESIQ, a trailblazing leadership and talent development consultancy redefining how organizations and individuals practice intentional change. Known for her cross-sector expertise, spanning non-profit, public, and private leadership and as a champion for burnout prevention and authentic work cultures, she brings 20+ years of wisdom to every client. Her journey from early community leader to banking executive, cancer survivor, and entrepreneur offers a grounded, human, and hope-filled model for anyone seeking real-life transformation.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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  • 11 | Monique Giroux – Surprising Joys, Powerful Pauses, and the Art of Slowing Down

    11 | Monique Giroux – Surprising Joys, Powerful Pauses, and the Art of Slowing Down

    · When We Pause

    Ever felt trapped by success, so busy you can’t breathe, but scared to slow down in case everything falls apart?

    In this rich and vulnerable episode, Charles Achampong welcomes transformation coach and meditation leader Monique Giroux for an eye-opening exploration of the sacred pause, life-changing retreats, and what slowing down really unlocks. Together, they reveal unconventional secrets for finding joy, overcoming high-functioning anxiety, and alchemizing ambition into true clarity. Monique shares exclusive lessons from her global travels, deep Buddhist practice, and radical career pivots, and why trusting yourself is both rare and revolutionary.

    If you’re craving less overwhelm and more meaning, you can’t afford to wait. This episode is your urgent invitation to step off autopilot now for exclusive, hard-won wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else. Hit play and reclaim time, self-trust, and joy.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [04:41] – How feeling lost and grieving led to unexpected healing and yoga

    [07:59] – The Bali retreat epiphany: pain, anxiety, and the first full breath

    [12:04] – “We spend our whole lives running—practice stopping.” The inside story

    [15:13] – Slow travel vs. speed tourism: revolutionary secrets for true presence

    [18:03] – Hungry ghosts, hidden drives, and the surprising roots of overachievement

    [24:04] – Navigating the ‘messy middle’—trusting change before you see the map

    [26:08] – The Happy List: a proven joy-hacking framework to reset your energy

    Resources MentionedLaurentian UniversitPlum Village Sangha (Thich Nhat Hanh)Rainbow Roots Trail SystemCIBCThe Book of Joy – Dalai Lama & Desmond TutuLoving Kindness MeditationVipassana Silent RetreatYoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, ReikiLost Intentionally by Monique GirouxThe Way Out Is In (podcast)
    About the Guest

    Monique Giroux is a transformation coach, meditation leader, and university lecturer at Laurentian University, known for guiding high-achievers from anxiety to intentional living. With nearly 20 years of executive experience in financial services and deep roots in Buddhist meditation and forest therapy, Monique fuses practical wisdom with soulful leadership. Her work helps professionals realign life with purpose, heal through pause, and sustain joy in high-performance careers.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Linktree

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    The Purpose-Driven Pause Mentor is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 10 | Stacey Serby – The Messy Magic of Running Toward Real Life

    10 | Stacey Serby – The Messy Magic of Running Toward Real Life

    · When We Pause

    Do you ever wonder if a bold life pivot could save you from burnout, or whether uprooting from comfort is the only way to finally breathe?

    In this soul-baring and wildly practical conversation, Charles Achampong welcomes teacher-turned-healer Stacey, who swapped Canadian grind for Cayman clarity. Together they unpack the messy, magical truth behind trading performance for purpose, spiritual detours, entrepreneurial rollercoasters, and the reality of living intentionally when “paradise” looks nothing like Instagram.

    What does it really take to heal when comfort gets stripped away? If you’re wrestling with too much motion, career fatigue, or the urge for change, listen now. Missing this episode lets burnout, regret, and autopilot win. Tune in for actionable wisdom, hard-won spiritual insight, and the kind of loving realism you simply won’t find anywhere else.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – “Who is the real Stacey?” The truth that never fits the bio

    [01:44] – The proven breathwork practice that unlocks spirit and stillness

    [04:56] – How measuring fulfillment breaks every old rule of success

    [08:24] – The game-changing moment her wife said, “Let’s move to an island”

    [15:51] – Shocking first year: Isolation, starting over, and betting on community

    [18:32] – The “Cayman Kind” secret that sets this paradise apart

    [22:58] – The real challenges of island life, from invisible traffic to spiritual patience

    [34:25] – Reclaiming creativity, singing, and what’s next (after surviving two pivots)

    Resources MentionedSask Express (musical group)Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsJerk chicken and Jamaican-inspired cuisine"Cayman Kind" cultural movement
    About the Guest

    Stacey Serby is a highly intuitive wellness practitioner and entrepreneur based in Grand Cayman, known for transforming burnout and anxiety into purpose-driven healing for high-achieving professionals and seekers. A former elementary teacher from Saskatchewan, she now leads Island Breather, specializing in meditation, yoga, breathwork, and holistic modalities for mind-body wellness. Her mission: empowering others to slow down, reconnect, and trust in the messy beauty of continuous reinvention.

    🔗 Website | Instagram | Facebook

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 09 | Why You Don't Need More Clarity

    09 | Why You Don't Need More Clarity

    · When We Pause

    Are you searching for clarity, yet still feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or endlessly busy in your quest for meaning?

    In this introspective solo episode, bestselling author and pause mentor Charles Achampong dives deep into the myth of needing more clarity, delivering vulnerable stories, rare wisdom, and proven strategies to break free from the comforts of “maybe.” Through powerful pauses and raw honesty, he reveals why the answers you seek are already within you, and why the real work is having the courage to act, not endlessly research.

    Listen now to avoid the pain of burnout, indecision, and drifting without purpose. This episode brings urgent, exclusive insight you won’t find anywhere else: pause, reflect, and reclaim direction before another day slips away.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – A harsh truth: Why feeling stuck isn’t about lacking answers

    [00:48] – The secret stall tactic: Research, podcasts, and busywork that keep you trapped

    [01:46] – How a quiet inner knowing exposed a consulting mistake and what really matters

    [03:13] – Will “future doors” change your feelings? Charles gets brutally honest

    [04:34] – Why subtraction is revolutionary: The myth of adding more, and how to do less with intention

    [05:53] – The loudest lie: Why you already know what to do—here’s how to listen for your truth

    [07:47] – “Damn, that was good.” The ego, the feedback, and a speaker’s blueprint for clear direction

    [09:01] – The power of pausing: How to escape the noise and hear your next step

    [10:21] – The final shift: Stop thinking, start choosing, and why courage means acting on what you know

    Resources MentionedCapacity CanadaUniversity of OttawaPause → Notice → Reset → Repeat (signature framework)
    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 08 | Erin Binns – The Thrilling Wake-Up That Made “No” Her Superpower

    08 | Erin Binns – The Thrilling Wake-Up That Made “No” Her Superpower

    · When We Pause

    Ever felt crushed by busyness, longing for real connection, but terrified to press pause?

    In this uplifting episode, bestselling author and pause mentor Charles Achampong sits down with business coach Erin Binns for the blueprint on trading overwhelm for truly meaningful moments.

    Erin shares the dagger-to-the-heart feedback that forced her to reset, how to build your own “village” for life, and bold moves to simplify your world without losing your edge. With raw stories, proven strategies, and one unforgettable blue dress, this conversation shatters the myth that you have to “do it all” to matter.

    Do not miss this episode. Your future self will thank you. Listen now to sidestep burnout, reconnect with your values, and access Erin’s proven clarity framework that’s unavailable anywhere else.

    Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – One shocking friendship truth that changed Erin’s life forever[00:44] – What “When busy finally breaks you” sounds and feels like inside[03:07] – Revolutionary introductions: How to actually show up without hiding behind titles[05:13] – Dagger moments, accountability, and how to reset your reputation with those you love[09:32] – How the “yes to less” shift works, even for recovering people pleasers[17:40] – Why you feel hungover after the wrong crowd, and how to choose more powerful energy[25:43] – The blue dress story: The surprising power of community when you need hope most[38:15] – Stop saying “I’m busy”: Advanced connection secrets you must hear
    Resources MentionedBook: Bending RealityShohei Ohtani (MLB reference, teamwork and humility)Capacity Canada“Failing forward” and “Failure immunity” (entrepreneurial mindsets)
    About the Guest

    Erin Binns is an acclaimed business coach and consultant who empowers leaders, high-achievers, and whole teams to uncomplicate, simplify, and actually enjoy work and life. With more than two decades of experience spanning luxury hospitality, real estate, and entrepreneurship, Erin is known for her bold focus on community, client-centered growth, and the magic of saying “no” so you can really say “yes” to what matters.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 07 | Ania Sponaski – Growth Without the Grind: Watch How Reinvention Really Works

    07 | Ania Sponaski – Growth Without the Grind: Watch How Reinvention Really Works

    · When We Pause

    Are you stuck in autopilot, performing successfully but starving for genuine change?

    In this episode, Charles Achampong sits down with Ania Sponaski, a global sports marketer turned original entrepreneur, for an emotionally charged look at what really powers personal reinvention. From late-life ADHD diagnosis and career pivots to deep self-acceptance, you’ll hear why breaking the rules and the routines is the only way forward when life calls for more.

    This conversation is not for passive listeners. Tune in now to avoid another year lost to burnout and fake certainty. You’ll hear exclusive, real-life strategies for flow, courage, and crafting a future on your terms, plus the surprising rituals and mindsets that most podcasts miss.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – Why two eggs every morning changed everything (and what this simple act signals about transformation)

    [02:25] – The hidden danger of pretending you have it all figured out—watch out for this subtle trap

    [04:00] – Italy’s “rebirth effect”—the powerful story behind returning to your real roots

    [08:00] – Secret life of a homebody: The creative rituals no one sees on social media

    [14:00] – The moment your body says “enough”—what crisis actually feels like and why most ignore it

    [19:00] – Loneliness, therapy, and the surprising role of online community in recovery

    [27:00] – Unlocking your unique “soulution”—how to turn pause into purpose

    [38:00] – Democratizing the game: Who’s winning the next wave of sports and why more need to notice

    [44:00] – Three core truths to carry through every season of life—kind, smart, creative

    [47:00] – Why courage means standing up for the collective, not just yourself

    Resources MentionedVancouver 2010 OlympicsChristine Sinclair (women’s sports, equity)Toronto Tempo (professional women’s basketball)Billie Jean King
    About the Guest

    Ania Sponaski is the Founder of Original Sport Soulutions, offering creative strategy and partnership consulting for global sports organizations. With 20+ years in partnership marketing—spanning the Olympics, major agencies, and international events—she’s known for her ability to unlock business growth while championing inclusion and next-level innovation.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 06 | Wilfred Lun – How One Life-Threatening Crisis Rebuilt Wilfred’s Joy and Purpose

    06 | Wilfred Lun – How One Life-Threatening Crisis Rebuilt Wilfred’s Joy and Purpose

    · When We Pause

    What would you do if your “before” and “after” moments arrived overnight, ripping away everything you thought you could count on?

    In this heart-opening episode, Charles sits down with veteran TD Bank leader Wilfred Lun to expose the raw, revolutionary truths behind surviving a flesh-eating disease, sudden amputation, and the relentless road to reclaiming purpose.

    You’ll go inside Wilfred’s unfiltered battle, from physical pain and psychological valleys, to victories of mindset and community-driven hope. Lose the clichĂ©s: This is about how crisis can sharply reveal the space for joy, clarity, and next-level empathy every single day.

    Listen now! Avoiding this episode means missing Wilfred’s hard-earned blueprints for resilience, meaning, and choosing joy when life splits in two. This story is radically unique. Be the one with new wisdom before your next pivotal moment arrives.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:01] – What happens when normal life explodes in a split second?

    [03:47] – “Standing up, I knew—my leg was suddenly gone. And so was life as I knew it.”

    [06:36] – The shocking realization it’s not just a bad dream and why most ignore urgent signals

    [08:07] – How Wilfred’s family and colleagues raced to save his life—behind-the-scenes heroism

    [10:34] – The exact moment trauma turned into clarity and a promise to walk again

    [14:51] – Mindset shift secrets: How Wilfred battled psychological pain (and what most get wrong)

    [19:56] – Amputation as unexpected superpower plus the hidden cost of “feeling sorry for yourself”

    [22:29] – Wilfred’s method for choosing happiness every morning (even when loss is permanent)

    [28:04] – Positivity versus pity—how to deflect negativity and rewrite your story

    [34:38] – Why accessibility was a blind spot and how adversity made Wilfred a workplace advocate

    [42:58] – Wilfred’s revolutionary lessons for anyone facing their own crisis

    Resources MentionedVancouver General HospitalPeople With Disabilities ERG (TD Bank)Capacity CanadaReverse Mentoring (TD Bank DEI)
    About the Guest

    Wilfred Lun is a Toronto‑based finance and risk management professional and a Senior Manager, Expense Governance at TD Bank. He has more than a decade of experience across finance, risk, audit, and governance, and has played a key role in leading and overseeing TD’s enterprise‑wide expense governance framework. He is a two‑time recipient of the TD Bank Corporate League of Excellence Award (2018 and 2022), recognizing sustained exceptional performance and leadership. [ca.linkedin.com] In 2023, Lun survived a life‑threatening illness caused by necrotizing fasciitis, which resulted in an above‑knee amputation. After extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, he returned to work in 2024 and has since shared his experience to raise awareness around disability, resilience, and inclusion in the workplace.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 05 | Saeed Selvam – Proven Steps How To Triumph Over Career Uncertainty

    05 | Saeed Selvam – Proven Steps How To Triumph Over Career Uncertainty

    · When We Pause

    Ever wondered if you’re trapped in a role that looks “successful” on LinkedIn but secretly feels empty, and what it really takes to pivot without losing everything?

    In this exclusive episode, Charles Achampong sits down with government relations strategist and social impact veteran Saeed Selvam for a rare, unfiltered conversation about breaking industry boxes, navigating burnout, and crafting a career with heart AND impact, even inside Big Tech.

    Discover why resourcefulness is the most undervalued skill, essential lessons from crushing defeats, and the actionable mindsets that helped Saeed Selvam leap from nonprofit work to Google, then into thriving entrepreneurship. Feeling stuck in someone else’s system? Hit play before another year passes, and reclaim your momentum now.

    Miss this, and risk trading your purpose for performance and never knowing what’s truly possible. These insights are real-world proven. You won’t hear them anywhere else.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:01] – The one Youth Cabinet flyer that changed Saeed’s path forever—origin stories you’ve never heard

    [04:13] – The press conference that sparked a national pivot, and turned pain into impact

    [06:07] – How 9/11 set off an empathy-driven mission—why you don’t need to wait for permission

    [10:13] – Big Tech leap: How Saeed battled rejection, self-doubt, and the myths about career security

    [14:57] – Surprising resources hidden in nonprofit work and why they’re a secret advantage in profit-driven sectors

    [17:42] – Reframing risk and redefining “security”—a mindset that challenges everything

    [25:57] – Putting your oxygen mask on first—the lesson Saeed wishes he learned earlier, and the price of ignoring it

    [28:37] – Running for office, crashing, and finding wisdom in defeat—unfiltered truths on growth

    Resources MentionedToronto Youth Cabinet Olivia Chow ApplyBoard Trillium Foundation Laidlaw Foundation
    About the Guest

    Saeed Selvam is the President & CEO of Selvam Public Affairs and a leading Canadian government relations and public affairs strategist. With over 15 years in nonprofit leadership, tech (including Google and ApplyBoard), and civic activism, Saeed is known for his resourceful advocacy, bold pivots, and ability to drive impact across sectors. He’s dedicated to helping changemakers leverage policy, community insight, and entrepreneurial grit to shape the future of Canadian leadership.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 04 | What am I choosing not to risk

    04 | What am I choosing not to risk

    · When We Pause

    What are you missing when everything in your life “works,” but nothing feels daring?

    In this solo episode, best-selling author and leadership strategist Charles Achampong invites listeners into a radically honest conversation about comfort, complacency, and the hidden costs of not risking enough.

    Drawing from hard-won experience and thought-provoking stories from around the world, Charles reveals what happens when a “life that makes sense” quietly stops asking anything of you. You’ll confront the myths of stability, the dangers of staying put, and the subtle power of leveraging your hard-earned security for something greater than comfort, and why most people never do.

    If you crave purpose, clarity, and authentic self-leadership in a world obsessed with achievement, this is your moment. Don’t slip back into autopilot. Tune in now to sidestep years of quiet discontent with insights you absolutely won’t hear elsewhere.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – Why having “no one disappointed in you” might be an alarming signal, not a victory

    [00:37] – The cocktail party story nobody ever questions (but maybe they should)

    [02:44] – The haunting question high-achievers never ask: What am I refusing to risk now?

    [03:25] – What a global sabbatical reveals about hunger, creativity, and “safe” lives

    [04:09] – Tiny Estonia, the Netherlands, and South Korea: case studies in relentless, bold reinvention

    [05:36] – The real cost of protecting the status quo—why comfort can erode purpose

    [07:13] – The neighbor’s reaction: when betting on yourself makes others uneasy

    [11:13] – Are you hoarding stability, or leveraging it for something more meaningful?

    Resources MentionedEstonia’s digital government initiativeSouth Korea’s national education strategyNetherlands’ water management and innovationCapacity CanadaUniversity of Ottawa
    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 03 | Kristine Beese – The Truth About Women and Money No One Talks About

    03 | Kristine Beese – The Truth About Women and Money No One Talks About

    · When We Pause

    Ever wondered why so many women and couples feel lost or judged about their finances, even after decades of hard work and achievement?

    In this emotionally honest episode, Charles Achampong sits down with Untangle Money founder Kristine Beese, a gifted entrepreneur and former figure skater, for a conversation that dismantles old taboos and reveals what’s really holding women back from financial independence.

    From dropping out of high school for Olympic dreams, to fighting systemic money myths and pioneering accessible planning for millions, Kristine Beese shares the raw truth behind each life pivot and how genuine support can fuel resilience. Get ready for stories that blend joy, struggle, and practical breakthroughs in a world that often expects women to settle.

    Listen now to break free from outdated “rules” and quiet excuses. If you skip this episode, you risk staying stuck in cycles of overwhelm, comparison, and missed opportunities. This exclusive insight can save you years. Don’t wait to reclaim your story and your money!

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:01] – Halloween costumes, chaos, and the first real-life meeting: Ruth Bader Ginsburg vs. Blue Jay

    [01:36] – “I dropped out of high school to chase the Olympics”—how unconventional paths shape confidence

    [04:11] – The death spiral: What elite figure skating teaches about pressure and pivots that business never does

    [07:21] – When your gut whispers “move on” but the world says “stay” (and the cost of ignoring intuition)

    [15:48] – The training plan marathon: Why real financial plans for women are radically more vital than you think

    [19:58] – Smashing the shame: Money taboos, marginalization, and gendered choices nobody talks about

    [28:53] – Venture capital’s brutal reality: Funding challenges, losing cofounders, and building Untangle Money anyway

    [36:42] – Why women’s retirement dreams are still at risk, even if “doing everything right”

    Resources MentionedWorld Economic ForumMcKinseyThe Globe and Mail10x is Easier Than 2x (book)Montblanc pensPaper Mate pensStaedtler pens
    About the Guest

    Kristine Beese is the Founder and CEO of Untangle Money, the revolutionary platform making personalized financial plans accessible for millions of middle-income women and couples who’ve been overlooked by traditional banks and advisors. A former national-level figure skater, engineer, and finance leader with 15+ years of experience, Kristine is obsessed with breaking societal money taboos and creating tools that empower women to claim their financial futures. Her work has been featured by The Globe and Mail, and she’s a frequent speaker on financial well-being and gender equity.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 02 | Brian Gerard Bachand – Love, Light, and the Real Reason You Must Evolve

    02 | Brian Gerard Bachand – Love, Light, and the Real Reason You Must Evolve

    · When We Pause

    Have you ever felt a quiet nudge telling you it’s time for change, but struggled to trust yourself enough to act?

    In this raw, revealing episode, Charles Achampong sits down with evolution expert and former Catholic priest Brian Gerard Bachand, diving deep into proven and surprising ways to listen to your intuition, navigate the “messy middle” of any pivot, and discover what really brings joy. You’ll hear vulnerable stories of reinvention, why “doing the work” truly matters, and practical frameworks to honor both logic and heart in big life shifts.

    Ready to break from performance-driven routines and reclaim intentional living? Don’t let another week drift by. You need this exclusive perspective now to avoid burnout, doubt, and missed purpose. Tune in for paradigm-shifting insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] – Brian’s unconventional introduction: “Life of Brian” and the calling to bring light

    [03:25] – Why you don’t have to be miserable to change—watch for the quiet signs

    [07:01] – The precise moment intuition strikes and how logic wrestles in afterward

    [09:11] – One year of wrestling with fear before making the biggest pivot

    [12:22] – The dangers of oversharing and why your courage should be intentional

    [19:09] – The “disappearance” nobody warns you about after leaving the priesthood

    [28:23] – Major life events that could halt your change and why you shouldn’t wait

    [34:16] – Striking questions to unlock your true desires and spark new direction

    [40:42] – Brian’s next bold chapter: The book, the pause, and lessons for all seekers

    Resources MentionedLee Harris – Energy Speaks (book)American Cancer SocietyCapacity Canada
    About the Guest

    Brian Gerard Bachand is the Founder and CEO of evolution evolution, a leadership coaching and evolution consultancy for top achievers and seekers of purpose. Formerly a Catholic priest and chief of staff to a cardinal, he’s become an international leadership advisor known for his unique blend of intuition, spirituality, and strategic insight. Brian’s mission is to help high-performers trust their gut, honor their heart, and design lives that light them up from within.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website

    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  • 01 | The Life-Changing Power of an Intentional Pause

    01 | The Life-Changing Power of an Intentional Pause

    · When We Pause

    Ever feel like you’re racing through life only to look back and wonder what you’ve missed?

    In this opening episode, Charles Achampong, bestselling author and “The Purpose-Driven Pause Mentor,” shares the secret story behind building a life on conversation, curiosity, and international adventure.

    He explores why sometimes the bravest move isn’t to strive for more but to finally stop long enough to notice what actually matters. Hear powerful lessons from a global family sabbatical, the role of intentional pauses, and how clarity emerges in the quiet, between the beats.

    This isn’t just another “hustle” podcast. Tune in right now to avoid missing the practical wisdom most high-performers overlook. Be first to access this permission slip for reflection, so you don’t drift, burn out, or leave your life on autopilot. Listen before the noise pulls you back in.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] - “We don’t have a shortage of insight
 we have a shortage of space”—the crisis hiding in plain sight.

    [00:56] - The hilarious reason a conversation-obsessed dad created this show (and what his kids taught him).

    [01:35] - Living on autopilot: The trap of routines, browser tabs, and why most people don’t question “fine.”

    [03:02] - Was the world trip a pipe dream or a wake-up call? What happens when a dream refuses to die.

    [05:06] - Trading busy for beaches and tea: The reckoning of slowing down (plus what’s really behind “not caring”).

    [06:16] - When standing still feels like falling behind: The fear high performers never talk about.

    [07:29] - Honest conversations, unfinished gaps, and the quest for connection beyond the resume.

    [09:44] - The “in-between” of life: What you notice in the pause, and why true clarity doesn’t require fixing.

    Resources MentionedCapacity CanadaUniversity of OttawaPause → Notice → Reset → Repeat (signature framework)
    Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

    When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.