When We Pause

Charles Achampong
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to When We Pause, hosted by Charles Achampong. Charles is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and leadership strategist who helps high-performing leaders respond with intention rather than react on autopilot. This show is an invitation to pause in a world that rewards speed. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leaders and change-makers who’ve learned that clarity does not come from doing more, but from pausing with intention before the next decision. It’s about choosing clarity before action. It’s a different way of leading, living, and making decisions. This is When We Pause

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

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

    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 GuestSaeed 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.

    46 min

  2. 5D AGO

    04 | What am I choosing not to risk

    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.

    12 min

  3. FEB 25

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

    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 GuestKristine 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.

    59 min

  4. FEB 25

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

    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 GuestBrian 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.

    50 min

  5. FEB 23

    01 | The Life-Changing Power of an Intentional 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.

    12 min
  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to When We Pause, hosted by Charles Achampong. Charles is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and leadership strategist who helps high-performing leaders respond with intention rather than react on autopilot. This show is an invitation to pause in a world that rewards speed. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leaders and change-makers who’ve learned that clarity does not come from doing more, but from pausing with intention before the next decision. It’s about choosing clarity before action. It’s a different way of leading, living, and making decisions. This is When We Pause

Information

  • Creator
    Charles Achampong
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Charles Achampong Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    When We Pause

You Might Also Like