It's an Inside Job

Jason Birkevold Liem
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Imagine responding to challenges with quiet strength and living with a clearer sense of direction. It's an Inside Job, hosted by Jason Birkevold Liem, guides you there. This podcast is for anyone who believes cultivating inner resources is the most powerful way to shape their outer reality. We explore practical approaches for fostering resilience, nurturing well-being, and embedding intentionality into your daily rhythm. On Mondays, we feature longer conversations with insightful individuals, uncovering practical wisdom on how your inner world serves as a compass for your outer experiences, shaping everything from your career to your relationships and personal fulfilment. On BiteSize Fridays, get concise, actionable guidance for managing stress, making thoughtful choices, and nurturing your growth. If you're ready to consciously build a more aligned and fulfilling life, tune in.  After all,  actual growth is an inside job!

  1. 1D AGO

    The Self-Awareness Advantage: The Essential Key to Unlocking Resilience and Well-being.

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. "If lessons are repeated until learned, and you can't learn them until you become aware of them, then cultivating awareness is absolutely necessary for any kind of progress on your path, especially towards resilience and well-being." Unlock your inner potential by cultivating self-awareness to navigate life's challenges, embrace a positive mindset, and achieve true well-being. Discover actionable insights and practical tools to become more conscious of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Are you truly awake to your life, or are you operating on autopilot? Key Takeaway Insights and Tools Awareness is the incredible process of becoming fully conscious; it's the very first step to making any change.(0:44)Feelings and emotions are like dashboard lights, signaling internal issues that need attention. (3:33)Practicing objective self-observation, like watching a movie of yourself, helps identify repeating behavioral patterns without judgment. (4:12)Journaling and meaningful reminders (e.g., a phrase or picture) are effective tools for externalizing thoughts and staying conscious. (5:07)Awareness is the foundation of choice, allowing you to choose how to respond rather than react, which is the core of resilience. (5:53)Body awareness (e.g., noticing tense shoulders, tight jaw) provides crucial signals about stress levels and emotions, aiding self-regulation. (7:51)Acknowledge emotional complexity by probing what lies beneath surface emotions for true emotional well-being. (8:38)Don't miss out on future insights! Subscribe to It's an Inside Job for your weekly dose of resilience, optimism, and well-being. Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    12 min
  2. The Brain Never Sleeps: How Dreams Heal, Rewire, and Reveal with Karen van Kampen

    5D AGO

    The Brain Never Sleeps: How Dreams Heal, Rewire, and Reveal with Karen van Kampen

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. “When you rewrite a nightmare’s ending, you’re not avoiding it. You’re transforming it—and that rewiring gives you back control.” - Karen van Kampen Science writer Karen van Kampen explores how dreams help us process emotion, boost creativity, and build resilience—with tools for dream recall, reflection, and healing. Have you ever woken up from a dream wondering, “What was that about?” Or felt like your mind was trying to tell you something—just out of reach? In this episode, I welcome back science writer Karen van Kampen to explore what dreams are really doing for us. Karen is currently writing The Brain Never Sleeps, a forthcoming book with Simon & Schuster Canada that dives deep into the science of dreaming, memory, and emotional well-being. Together, we talk about why your dreams matter—not just as strange midnight cinema, but as active tools your brain uses to sort through stress, solve problems, and generate creative insight. From managing nightmares through imagery rehearsal and targeted dream incubation, to using apps like Elsewhere for AI-assisted interpretation, Karen walks us through cutting-edge research and her own experiments in dream-guided creativity. We also explore what happens when your brain starts weaving together old memories and new worries—how dreams help us process emotion, consolidate memory, and prepare for life's difficult moments. Karen even shares a unique “dream salon” experience, where artists painted her dream on a page from Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams. It’s as poetic as it is scientific. Key Takeaways: Dreams reflect our waking stress: What preoccupies us by day often shows up in dream form—symbolically or directly.Nightmares can be transformed: Tools like imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) and targeted dream incubation (TDI) help reframe bad dreams and reduce anxiety.Creative sweet spots exist: The moments just before sleep and after waking are powerful times to access ideas and insights.Apps like Elsewhere and Dust are using AI and sensory cues to guide dream themes, increase dream recall, and help reduce nightmares.Dreams act as a reframing tool: They reveal emotions and patterns we might not notice consciously—offering perspective, healing, and creative breakthroughs.Dream interpretation isn’t one-size-fits-all: Karen uses Freudian, Jungian, and personal approaches to reflect on her dreams from multiple angles.Bio Karen van Kampen is a Canadian science writer and the author of The Golden Cell: Gene Therapy, Stem Cells, and the Quest for the Next Great Medical Breakthrough. Her work has appeared in publications like The Globe and Mail and National Post. She’s currently writing The Brain Never Sleeps (Simon & Schuster, 2026), a deep dive into the science of dreams, memory, and emotional health. Karen explores how our dream lives intersect with well-being, using both cutting-edge research and personal experimentation. S6 E23: Think Your Dreams Are Meaningless? Here’s Why They Might Be the Key to Resilience, Emotional Balance & Mental Wellbeing. Website: https://www.karenvankam Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    1 hr

  3. AUG 29

    Transform Your Life & Well-being by Mastering Self-Acceptance.

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. "Denying your body complete acceptance well it can actually lead to illness whereas practicing self-acceptance well that can contribute to healing disease." Unlock the power of self-acceptance for a happier, healthier life. This episode explores how embracing your body exactly as it is can transform your well-being and allow you to live life without reservation.r What if fully accepting your body, with all its perceived imperfections, is the key to unlocking true happiness and a life lived without limits? Key Takeaway Insights and Tools The Power of Acceptance: True acceptance is embracing what life presents, and your body is a profound teacher for this lesson. (1:51)Body Image and Self-Worth: Many people use their body as a primary target for harsh judgments and a barometer for self-worth, which limits experiences. (2:23)Mind-Body Connection: Accepting your body is vital for both emotional and physical health; denial can lead to illness, while acceptance can contribute to healing. (3:20)Self-Improvement vs. Self-Criticism: The drive for physical improvement is healthy only if it stems from self-love and acceptance, not a feeling of inadequacy. (4:42)The "Love, Change, Accept" Principle: Love all parts of yourself; if you can't love them, change them; if you can't change them, then accept them as they are. (6:01)Your Choice is Powerful: You can choose the ease of acceptance over the pain of rejection regarding your physical self, as your perception doesn't change reality. (6:40)Make sure to hit that subscribe button to catch all future episodes and help spread the word! Homework for the Listener Consider this question: What aspect of your physical self are you not fully accepting right now? And what small step can you take towards embracing it with more kindness, with more acceptance?  Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    9 min

  4. AUG 25

    Inside Innovation: Psychological Safety, Strategic Timing, and the Power of Simplicity with Jannicke Birkevold

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. "Technology isn't the hard part. Getting people to see the value and change behaviour—that’s the challenge." - Jannicke Birkevold In this episode, innovation expert Jannicke Birkevold unpacks how emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and digital ID systems are reshaping society and business. Learn what makes innovation succeed in the real world—and why psychological safety and timing are non-negotiables for impact. Is your organisation built to survive disruption—or drive it? Key Takeaway Insights and Tools (with Timestamps): Innovation Requires Psychological Safety Innovation flourishes when people feel safe to fail, question, and iterate. Leadership support is essential to create this space. [33:26]Disruption Is About Timing, Not Just Tech The success of VIPS (Norway's mobile payment system) hinged on simplicity, customer value, and market timing—not just the app itself. [19:15]Don’t Build Everything—Partner Strategically The IDme project succeeded by collaborating with specialized partners for fraud detection and passport verification. [30:44]Innovators Need Organizational Champions Without buy-in from top leadership, most innovation efforts stagnate. Managers must advocate for long-term thinking—even in quarterly-driven cultures. [35:51]Internal Conflict Can Kill Innovation New solutions may threaten existing revenue streams. Reframing innovation as a protective move—before competitors disrupt—helps reduce resistance. [39:39]Bio: Jannicke Birkevold is an experienced leader and Innovation Expert with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, business, and customers. She has a passion for new tech. Jannicke has a proven track record in project management and the delivery of new products to market. She was recognised among Norway's Top 50 Women in Tech by Abelia/ODA. Throughout her career, Jannicke has held several managerial and professional positions within DNB, including head of digital inovation and leading the internal StartUp IDmee. Before joining DNB, she worked on IT and innovation projects in the Norwegian Tax Administration and has experience from the media industy and voluntary organizations. Her extensive experience spans strategy, technology, compliance, and customer-focused initiatives. Jannicke has broad leadership experience, having led specialists and professionals in technology and product field. She also enjoys delving deeply into subject areas in roles that involve professional responsibility and subject matter expert. Her commercial mindset is focused on creating value for both customers and the company. Jannicke's personal qualities include a direct style, easy-going nature, a sense of humour, and lots of enthusiasm. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannicke-birkevold-9807843/ Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    50 min

  5. AUG 22

    Unspoken Rules & Invisible Lines: Why Questioning Assumptions Leads to Success.

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. "When we push with purpose, respect, and curiosity, not defiance, we often find those lines aren't lines at all. They're simply assumptions, beliefs, sometimes inherited, sometimes outdated, sometimes just plain wrong." Discover how recognising and respectfully challenging "invisible lines"—unspoken rules and assumptions—can unlock innovation, improve team dynamics, and boost personal growth. Learn to identify and question these hidden boundaries for a more positive mindset and effective leadership. Have you ever hesitated to speak up or try something new, only to realize the "rule" preventing you wasn't even real? Key Takeaway Insights and Tools Invisible lines are unspoken, assumed boundaries that shape our behavior and can block innovation. These are not formal rules but cultural norms or inherited beliefs that everyone quietly follows. (0:39)Challenging invisible lines with purpose, respect, and curiosity can reveal they are often just assumptions.Often, these "lines" dissolve when someone respectfully questions their existence. (2:03)The cost of not asking questions about invisible boundaries is significant. Silence breeds frustration, isolates people, and leads to quiet disengagement, causing teams to lose their edge. (4:52)Real learning happens through "friction" and "experience," not static belief. Actively testing perceived boundaries allows for dynamic learning and feedback. (5:13)Challenge for the Week: Identify a boundary you've accepted without question in your work or team. Approach it with genuine inquiry, asking "why" or if an alternative has been explored, starting with low-consequence situations. (6:59)If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone in your network who might find it useful and hit that subscribe button! Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    10 min

  6. AUG 18

    Rethinking Resilience: How Trauma and Neurodiversity Shape the Way We Work with Natalie Armstrong

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. “We celebrate people who burn out and call it resilience. But real resilience is knowing when to pause, when to speak up, and when to take care of yourself.” - Natalie Armstrong  Nurse and trauma-informed leader Natalie Armstrong shares practical ways to support neurodivergent employees and build resilient, inclusive workplaces. Have you ever sensed something was off with a colleague—but couldn’t quite name it? Maybe they shut down in meetings, avoid conflict, or seem overwhelmed by simple feedback. It’s easy to chalk it up to attitude or performance. But what if it’s something deeper—like unrecognized trauma or neurodiversity? In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Armstrong, a trauma-informed workplace consultant, neurodiversity advocate, and NHS nurse leader. Together, we explore how trauma and neurodivergence quietly shape behavior at work—and how leaders can foster safer, more inclusive environments by tuning into the human side of performance. Natalie shares her personal story of navigating ADHD, trauma, and burnout, and how it shaped her into a compassionate, people-first leader. She walks us through real scenarios, signals to look out for, and the small but powerful adjustments that help people—especially high performers—thrive on their terms. Whether you’re a leader, colleague, or someone navigating these challenges yourself, this episode offers a roadmap toward psychological safety, resilience, and more human leadership. Bio Natalie Armstrong is a UK-based trauma-informed workplace consultant, neurodiversity advocate, and NHS nurse leader. With lived experience of ADHD and complex trauma, she helps organizations create inclusive, psychologically safe cultures. Her work focuses on supporting neurodivergent individuals through flexible leadership practices, emotional intelligence, and education that drives organizational resilience. Email: nataliearmstrongconsultancy@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliearmstrongconsultancy/ Key Takeaways Neurodiversity includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia—each with unique processing styles.Labels can help, but they can also limit. Focus on how people process, not what they’re labeled.Trauma responses in the workplace may look like people-pleasing, shutting down, or avoiding conflict.Leaders don’t need to diagnose trauma—they need to create environments that reduce harm and build safety.Masking is a hidden cause of burnout for many neurodivergent employees.Practical strategies include offering flexible schedules, quiet workspaces, opt-out options for triggering content, and stand-up-friendly meetings.Support over blame is essential—especially for those with histories of shame or trauma.Trust is built when leaders model vulnerability, admit mistakes, and lead with curiosity instead of judgment.Resilience is not about pushing through; it's about knowing your limits and building systems that support recovery.If you found this episode valuable, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re a regular listener, I’d love it if you posted about the show on LinkedIn or Instagram to help spread the Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    1 hr

  7. AUG 15

    The Contrarian Mindset - Cancelling the Fear of Conflict

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. Most people don’t like conflict. But some fear it so much they avoid it entirely—and that avoidance can quietly erode communication, teamwork, and leadership. In this BiteSize Fridays episode of It’s an Inside Job, I unpack the fear of conflict through the experience of Michael, a thoughtful senior financial analyst who avoided disagreement at all costs. His calm exterior masked deep discomfort. But when team dynamics and innovation began to suffer, he realized: his fear wasn’t protecting peace—it was preventing progress. Through Michael’s journey, we explore how the contrarian mindset helps us see conflict not as something to fear, but as a powerful doorway to truth, trust, and meaningful growth. Perfect for You If You’re Asking: Why do I always shut down when tension rises?How can I stay composed during tough conversations?Is there a way to be direct without being combative?How do I stop mistaking silence for harmony?What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why avoiding conflict can do more harm than goodHow to recognize when conflict is a signal, not a threatSimple techniques to stay grounded in tense situationsHow to build deeper trust and psychological safety through open dialoguePractical tools to turn discomfort into clarity and connectionIf you find yourself retreating from conflict to “keep the peace,” this episode gives you the mindset and skills to lean in—gently, intentionally, and powerfully. Contrarian Strategies from This Episode Practice quiet courage Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it means staying present when your instinct is to flee. Small acts of honesty can reshape a team dynamic.Build social bridges Ask open, curious questions. Hold space for differing perspectives. You don’t need all the answers—you just need to create room for real ones to emerge.Embrace obstacles as opportunities That gut feeling of discomfort? It’s a clue. When handled with care, conflict reveals what matters most—and where the real breakthroughs live.Focus on reality, not emotional reality Name the emotion. Acknowledge the tension. Then anchor in what’s actually been said—not what fear wants you to hear.Practice equanimity Stay steady in the storm. Use breath, grounding questions, and calm body awareness to remain present—even when things get hard. That presence is contagious.Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    15 min

  8. AUG 11

    Leading Yourself First: Why Recovery Is the Key to Resilience & Sustainable Success with Annicken R Day.

    Get in touch with us! We’d appreciate your feedback and comments. "We often underestimate how much strength comes from restoration. Performance without pause leads to burnout." - Annicken R Day Norwegian strategist Annicken R. Day returns to explore how intentional pauses and deep conversation help leaders recharge, reflect, and reframe their path forward. When you're constantly performing, how do you know when it's time to pause? In this episode of It's an Inside Job, I sit down once again with author and work culture strategist Annicken R. Day to explore the essential—yet often overlooked—role of restoration. Annicken and I just spent several days together at a retreat she curated in the heart of Tuscany, where professionals from across disciplines gathered not for escape, but for depth, perspective, and reconnection. Annicken is the founder of Corporate Spring, a consultancy that helps organizations build strong cultures through authentic leadership and sustainable practices. She’s also the author of Fly Butterfly, a business novel that speaks to the burnout, existential fatigue, and rediscovery many professionals quietly face. In our third dialogue together, we unpack the concept of restoration as the necessary flip side to performance. We explore how deliberate pauses—whether a deep conversation, a weekend retreat, or five minutes of reflection—can provide the clarity and energy needed to move forward. Drawing from our shared experience in Tuscany, we discuss the power of peer dialogue, the loneliness leaders often hide, and the richness of reconnecting with your values. For many of us, high performance is second nature. But when the tools we normally rely on stop working, it's often a sign that we're due for a reset—not a bigger push. As Annicken puts it, sometimes you have to create the thing you're looking for. And that begins with space to reflect. Key Takeaways: Restoration is the other side of performance. Without recovery, we risk long-term burnout and short-sighted decision-making.Deep conversations with diverse peers offer powerful new tools and perspectives for navigating complexity.Leaders often suffer in silence. Safe spaces and peer dialogue can release pressure and reconnect us with what matters.Context matters. Retreat environments—whether Tuscany or a quiet afternoon—help strip away distraction and reveal deeper insight.Joy and laughter matter. Restoration isn’t only about slowing down—it’s about refueling emotionally through meaningful connection.Great leadership starts with self-leadership. Creating time for pause helps you lead yourself through chaos and change.If this episode sparked a new way of thinking about recovery, share it with a friend, colleague, or leader who needs the reminder. And don’t forget to subscribe to It’s an Inside Job for more conversations that help you build resilience, restore clarity, and lead from the inside out. LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annickenr/ Website:  https://www.corporatespring.com/ Support the show Sign up for the weekly IT'S AN INSIDE JOB NEWSLETTER takes 5 seconds to fill out receive a fresh update every Wednesday

    37 min
See All (249)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Imagine responding to challenges with quiet strength and living with a clearer sense of direction. It's an Inside Job, hosted by Jason Birkevold Liem, guides you there. This podcast is for anyone who believes cultivating inner resources is the most powerful way to shape their outer reality. We explore practical approaches for fostering resilience, nurturing well-being, and embedding intentionality into your daily rhythm. On Mondays, we feature longer conversations with insightful individuals, uncovering practical wisdom on how your inner world serves as a compass for your outer experiences, shaping everything from your career to your relationships and personal fulfilment. On BiteSize Fridays, get concise, actionable guidance for managing stress, making thoughtful choices, and nurturing your growth. If you're ready to consciously build a more aligned and fulfilling life, tune in.  After all,  actual growth is an inside job!

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Birkevold Liem
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    249
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 © 2022 It's an Inside Job
  • Show Website
    It's an Inside Job

You Might Also Like