The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low

Serena Low, Introvert Coach for Quiet Achievers and Quiet Warriors
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Are you an introvert who is tired of hearing that you're too quiet, need to speak up more, or that you lack executive presence and are not ready for promotion? Your host is Serena Low, and her life’s purpose is to help quiet achievers become Quiet Warriors who can speak - lead - and act decisively when called upon, without changing the essence of who you are. As a trauma-informed introvert coach, certified Root-Cause Therapy practitioner, certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach, and author of the Amazon Bestseller, The Hero Within: Reinvent Your Life One New Chapter at a Time, Serena is passionate about helping introverts and quiet achievers minimise:- imposter syndrome, - overthinking, - perfectionism, - low self-worth, - people pleasing,- fear of public speaking,  and other common introvert challenges. Tune in every week for practical tips and inspirational stories about how to thrive as an introvert in a noisy and overstimulating world.

  1. 4d ago

    142. Why Introverts Are Still Being Passed Over for Leadership — with David Boroughs

    What if being overlooked at work had nothing to do with your performance — and everything to do with a bias so embedded in workplace culture that most people don't even recognise it as bias at all? David Boroughs spent 30 years navigating corporate America as an introvert. He received top performance rankings and was still told, repeatedly, that he wasn't visible enough. Near the end of his career, that contradiction became an epiphany: it wasn't him that was broken. It was the culture. Now retired, David is an author and advocate for personality type inclusion. We talk about what it costs to mask your introversion, why the burden of change cannot keep falling on the individual, and what leaders can practically do to create cultures where introverts thrive as their authentic selves. We also explore the Anxiety High book series — a fiction series for introverted teenagers that David co-authored with his son, Joshua — and why it's finding just as much resonance with parents, teachers, and school counsellors. In this episode: What "personality type bias" is — unconscious, socially accepted, and legally unchallengedThe performance review moment that changed everything for DavidThe exhaustion of performing extroversion, and why it compounds over timeWhat leaders can do differently: hiring language, selection committees, and creating genuine belongingWhy introverts who break into leadership sometimes perpetuate the very bias they've sufferedHow David and his teenage son wrote fiction books together to help young introverts feel seen About David Boroughs David is the author of The Extrovert's Guide to Elevating Introverted Leaders in the Workplace and co-author of the Anxiety High teen fiction series. Connect with David on LinkedIn and his website. Work with Serena If you’re successful on paper but still feel unseen, over-extended or quietly stuck at the same level despite everything you’ve achieved, the SEEN executive calibration was designed for you. It helps identify the deeper patterns that may be affecting how you communicate, advocate for yourself, lead, and show up professionally. You’ll find more information HERE. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    34 min

  2. Jun 21

    141: What Cancer Taught This Solopreneur About Succession Planning, Self-Advocacy, and Knowing When to Ask for Help (Deb Krier)

    What do you do when life hands you a diagnosis — and you're the person everyone else depends on? Deb Krier was a “good patient” kind of person. Annual physical. Mammogram. Did everything right. And still didn't make it home from the hospital before the phone rang. What followed over the next decade was 34 surgeries under general anaesthesia, a stage zero diagnosis that leapt to stage four almost overnight, septic shock with a 75% fatality rate — and a surgeon who told her husband she would be dead by midnight. Her response? Excuse me. I get to vote. In this episode, Deb — cancer advocate, strategic advisor, creator of TryingNotToDie.live, and host of the Business Power Hour — shares what she's learned about leading through a health crisis without losing yourself, your business, or your people.. If you've ever pushed through difficulty alone because you feared what people would think — this one is for you. You'll learn: Why hiding a health crisis from your clients almost always backfiresHow to maintain decision-making authority when your brain has short-circuitedWhat solopreneurs need to put in place before a crisis hitsWhy asking for help is not weakness — it's what warriors doKey Takeaways:  Isolation is the enemy. The instinct to hide a health crisis from your clients and colleagues is understandable — but it's the thing most likely to make everything harder.Transparency converts people into supporters. When Deb told her clients the truth, they didn't pull away. They asked, what can we do to help?You are the decision-maker — even when the white coats disagree. Give yourself the time to grieve, gather yourself, and then choose the path that is right for you.Bring backup to the hard appointments. A level-headed person by your side can hold onto information your shocked brain can't process.Build your systems before you need them. Automated invoicing, a backup contact, someone who can handle the basics — these are not just illness preparations. They're what lets you take a vacation too.The strongest thing you can do is ask for help. Reaching out — to a friend, a counsellor, a faith community, a stranger on Facebook — is not weakness. It is what warriors do.Gratitude doesn't have to be grand. It can be as simple as: I woke up. The project didn't get done, and the world didn't stop.About Deb Krier Deb Krier is a cancer advocate and strategic advisor for executives and business owners navigating the personal and professional impact of a cancer diagnosis. She provides high-level guidance for leaders who want to maintain their executive presence and decision-making authority while managing the complex realities of cancer. Deb is the creator of TryingNotToDie.live and the host of the Business Power Hour. Gentle invitation for Quiet Leaders: If you love learning at your own pace, I’ve created a mini-course that you can digest in a weekend. You can download it here: https://www.quietwarrioracademy.com/leadershipforintroverts Enjoying The Quiet Warrior Podcast? If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review the show on your listening app. Your support helps more introverts become Quiet Warriors. For weekly insights on how to flourish and lead as an introvert, subscribe to Serena's newsletter, The Visible Introvert. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    38 min

  3. Jun 14

    140. From Burnout to Happiness: 12 Steps to a More Joyful Life with Todd Patkin

    ⚠️ Content note: This episode contains references to suicide. Please take care of yourself as you listen. What does it really mean to be happy — and why do so many high-achieving, outwardly successful people struggle to feel it? In this deeply honest and practical conversation, happiness coach Todd Patkin joins host Serena to explore the hidden cost of perfectionism, the systemic roots of burnout, and the 12 steps he developed to help people move from surviving to genuinely thriving. After growing a family auto parts business by 20% year-on-year and working 70–80 hours a week, Todd hit a wall at age 36. A complete mental breakdown, suicidal ideation, and an inability to even answer a simple question at a restaurant forced him to stop and ask: Why am I doing this to myself? What emerged from that dark chapter was a 12-step program to happiness — one he has since shared with corporations, schools, associations, and individuals worldwide. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why bullying in childhood can plant the seeds of perfectionism and anxiety that follow us into adulthoodHow the "tombstone test" can help you realign your daily life with what truly matters to youWhy perfectionism is a socially rewarded addiction — and why that makes it so hard to breakThe real reason social media is making young people (and adults) so unhappyHow we spend more than half our mental lives in the past or future — and what that costs us in the presentWhy loneliness carries the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a dayThe surprising role of generosity in your own wellbeing (givers are 40% happier and 25% healthier)How introverts can lean into friendliness without betraying their natureThe importance of seeking professional help for anxiety and depression — and why medication is nothing to be ashamed of Todd Patkin's 12-Step Program to Happiness — Overview Week 1 – Exercise     Week 2 –  Prepare your mindset Week 3 – Be Kinder to Yourself (Todd's most important step)   Week 4 – Play to Your Strengths   Week 5 – Living in the Present   Week 6 – Eliminate Stressors   Week 7 – Surround Yourself with Positive People   Week 8 – Spend More Time with Family and Friends   Week 9 – Be Cheerful and Connect with Others   Week 10 – Be Giving     Week 11 – Practice Gratitude   Week 12 – Connect with a Higher Power   Memorable Moments from This Episode "Happiness is just being okay with yourself because you're here."   "Most people say things to themselves all day long that they wouldn't even say to their worst enemy."   "We reward perfectionism, whereas we look down upon alcoholism and smoking — and that's one of the problems we have in society today."     About Todd Patkin Todd Patkin is a happiness coach, author, and speaker who spent over a decade building and leading a successful family auto parts business before experiencing a severe breakdown at age 36. That turning point led him to develop his 12-step program to happiness — a framework he has shared with corporations, schools, associations, and individuals across the country. Todd is also the author of an autobiography and workbook that accompany his signature course. Connect with Todd Patkin Website: toddpatkin.com Udemy Course Bundle (autobiography + workbook + video series):  https://www.udemy.com/course/twelve-weeks-to-living-a-happier-life/   Gentle Invitation If you're navigating anxiety, depression, or simply the quiet exhaustion of always striving, Todd's message is clear: you don't have to live with it. Speaking to a doctor or mental health professional is a brave and practical first step — not a sign of weakness. If you're a quiet achiever ready to lead on your own terms without performing extroversion — Serena's self-paced resource for quiet leaders was made for you. Download it at https://www.quietwarrioracademy.com/leadershipforintroverts. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    40 min

  4. Jun 7

    139. How To Reclaim Your Voice and Advocate For Yourself Through the Intention-Perception-Action Model (Dr. Patricia Timerman)

    ⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicide loss. Please take care while listening. What happens when a confident communicator suddenly loses her voice? In this deeply moving conversation, Serena Low sits down with psychotherapist, author, and communication expert Dr. Patricia Timerman Barbosa da Silva (“Dr. T”) to explore the life-changing experience that shaped her work: immigrating to the United States at 14 without knowing English and finding herself unable to express herself. Together, they unpack the complexities of communication, grief, cultural identity, boundaries, and self-advocacy. Drawing from over a decade of clinical experience in trauma, grief, couples therapy, and immigration mental health, Dr. Patricia shares practical tools and profound insights that can help Quiet Warriors communicate more effectively, navigate difficult emotions, and honour their own needs without guilt. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, struggled to speak up, or carried grief that others couldn't fully comprehend, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and hope. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why communication breakdowns often happen even when both people have good intentionsThe Intention–Action–Perception (IAP) model and how it can transform your relationshipsA simple communication technique called the "Preamble" that reduces conflict and misunderstandingHow immigration, culture, and identity influence the way we communicateThe difference between healthy boundaries and emotional wallsWhy reciprocity matters in relationships and leadershipWhat makes suicide grief uniquely challengingPractical ways to support someone who is grievingHow to create "memories in your pocket" to navigate difficult moments of lossWhy putting yourself on equal footing with others is an act of self-respect, not selfishness Key Takeaways for Quiet Warriors Your silence is not weakness. Speaking thoughtfully and intentionally is a strength.Communication isn't just about what you say—it's about how your message is perceived.You cannot force someone to receive a message they aren't ready to hear.Healthy boundaries protect your wellbeing and strengthen your relationships.Grief doesn't follow a timetable, and healing cannot be rushed.Putting yourself at the same level as others creates more sustainable relationships and leadership. About Dr. Patricia Timerman Dr. Patricia Timerman Barbosa da Silva is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and founder of Advocate to Create. She holds a PhD in Mental Health and specialises in grief, trauma, couples therapy, and suicide loss support. Her work is informed by both extensive clinical experience and her own immigration journey, bringing a culturally sensitive perspective to mental health and communication. Connect with Dr. Patricia Timerman Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook: @AdvocateToCreate Book: Why Are We Fighting? Actionable Strategies for Effective Communication (available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats) www.Advocate2Create.com www.Advocate2Create.Teachable.com P: (305) 204-7764 E: patricia@advocate2create.com No More - Together we can end domestic violence and sexual assault www.nomore.org No More Tears  nomoretearsusa.org Resources for Quiet Achievers Download the Leadership Visibility and Influence for Introverts mini-course for practical strategies to lead with confidence while staying true to yourself. Enjoying The Quiet Warrior Podcast? If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review the show on your listening app. Your support helps more introverts elevate into Quiet Warriors. For weekly insights on introversion, subscribe to Serena's LinkedIn newsletter, The Visible Introvert. Crisis Support If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please seek support immediately. Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (Call/text/chat, available 24/7) United States: 988 Lifeline (Call/text/chat, available 24/7) Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    46 min

  5. May 31

    138. You’re Not Broken: How to Flip the Switch on Anxiety and Depression by Rewiring Your Brain (Mike Wood)

    What happens when you've built a successful career, ticked every box on the list society gave you - and you're still miserable? That's where Mike Wood found himself at 45. A former COO who helped scale Jarrett Companies from $2.5 million to over $100 million in revenue, Mike had achieved everything he was supposed to want. Yet beneath the success, 30 years of anxiety and depression were still screaming. In this deeply honest conversation, Mike shares the five-year inner journey that led him to become a consciousness coach — and why he now takes those same tools into maximum security prisons and corporate boardrooms alike. In this episode, you'll discover: Why external success can never fill an internal void — and where to look insteadHow a single moment in kindergarten programmed a core belief that silently ran Mike's life until he was 47What the subconscious mind's "number one job" reveals about why we hold on to old wounds — and how to finally let them goThe two-minute gratitude practice that Mike used when his 7-year-old came upstairs in tears about monstersWhy reframing the past isn't rewriting history — it's giving your younger self more contextThe surprising leadership lesson Mike learned when his company flooded a 30-floor high-rise — and how taking radical ownership transformed the entire roomWhat school is failing to teach our kids (and ourselves) about emotional intelligenceHow releasing identity attachments can dissolve the physical stress response almost instantlyThe one thing Mike wants every quiet achiever to know if they feel broken About Mike Wood Mike Wood is a former COO turned consciousness coach who spent 30 years struggling with anxiety and depression before finding the tools that changed everything. He now runs Learn to Love Being You, a 10-week subconscious reprogramming program, and takes his work into maximum security prisons and corporate leadership settings across the US. Mike is also the father of seven children, ranging in age from 11 to 33. Connect with Mike & Claim Your Free Gift Mike is offering listeners a free first week of his program — including guided breathwork exercises and manual tools to manage anxiety starting today. Free gift: mwoodmindset.com/warrior  Program: learntolovebeingyou.com  Email: mike@learntolovebeingyou.com Work with Serena If you’re an introverted woman leader ready to become more visible and influential without performing extroversion, I invite you to apply for a SEEN Executive Calibration. 45 minutes via Zoom. Diagnostic, not selling. Root causes, not symptoms. Apply HERE. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    48 min

  6. May 24

    137. What's Wrong vs. What's Strong: A Strengths-Based Approach to Career and Caregiving | Rosemary Gattuso

    What if the career that looked right on paper was quietly draining you — and the one you almost overlooked turned out to be exactly where you were meant to be? Family mediator and restorative justice practitioner Rosemary Gattuso joins Serena to share the pivotal moment she walked away from legal practice and into mediation — not out of failure, but out of a growing self-awareness that law amplified her weaknesses, while mediation brought her natural strengths to life. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt slightly out of place in their career, struggled with an inner critic that just won't quieten, or found themselves caring for someone they love while quietly losing pieces of themselves in the process. Rosemary introduces her signature what's wrong vs. what's strong framework — a deceptively simple lens that cuts through self-judgement and reorients how we think about mistakes, setbacks and personal growth. When we see a misstep through the "what's wrong" lens, we spiral into shame. When we shift to "what's strong," the same moment becomes a question: What have I learned? What could I do differently? She also opens up about a deeply personal chapter — caring full-time for both ageing parents — and the conflicting emotions that rarely get named: love and resentment, devotion and grief, gratitude and guilt. Her upcoming second book offers language and tools for navigating exactly that. In this episode: Why aligning your career with your strengths changes more than just your workHow to become your own internal mediator and shift out of chronic self-criticismThe emotional contradictions of caregiving — and how to hold them with compassionPractical advice for quiet achievers whose deep analysis tips into overthinkingHow to know when you're out of balance — and what to do about itResources Mentioned: Rosemary's first book, It's Not You, It's Me, is available at her website https://www.rosemarygattuso.com and online. Carer Gateway - an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. Work with Serena If you’re an introverted woman leader ready to become more visible and influential without performing extroversion, I invite you to apply for a SEEN Executive Calibration. 45 minutes via Zoom. Diagnostic, not selling. Root causes, not symptoms. Apply HERE. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    42 min

  7. May 17

    136. Quietly Powerful Leadership: Megumi Miki on How Introverts and Quiet Achievers Thrive in Workplaces

    Serena Low sits down with leadership expert Megumi Miki to explore what it means to be a quietly powerful leader — and why organisations in Australia and beyond can no longer afford to overlook quiet talent. Megumi is the award-winning author of Quietly Powerful: How Your Quiet Nature is Your Hidden Leadership Strength and a leadership, culture, and diversity consultant with over 20 years of experience. In this episode, she challenges the outdated “hero leader” model and reveals how spaciousness, presence, and humility are reshaping what effective leadership looks like in today’s uncertain world. Who This Episode Is For This conversation is essential listening for: Introverted professionals in Australian workplacesQuiet achievers aspiring to senior leadershipLeaders who feel exhausted by performative confidenceOrganisations wanting to cultivate inclusive leadershipAnyone navigating visibility without sacrificing authenticity What You’ll Learn in This Episode 1. Why the “Hero Leader” Model Is Failing Organisations 2. The Three Attributes of Quietly Powerful Leaders 3. Why Asking the Right Question Is More Powerful Than Having the Right Answer 4. The Danger of Boxing Yourself In as an Introvert 5. What Organisations Must Do to Stop Wasting Quiet Talent Quietly Powerful Leadership Cards In addition to her book, Megumi has created Quietly Powerful Leadership Cards — tangible, accessible tools designed to spark reflection and practical leadership growth. Connect with Megumi Miki You can explore Megumi’s book, leadership programs, interviews, and Quietly Powerful resources through her official website https://megumimiki.com/. Work with Serena If you’re an introverted woman leader ready to become more visible and influential without performing extroversion, I invite you to apply for a SEEN Executive Calibration. 45 minutes via Zoom. Diagnostic, not selling. Root causes, not symptoms. Apply HERE. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    32 min

  8. May 10

    135. The Quiet Power of Healing, Identity, and Coming Home to Yourself (Soreya James)

    What happens when life asks you to let go of an old identity and become someone entirely new? In Episode 135 of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, Serena sits down with Soreya James to explore healing, identity, introversion, trauma, nervous system safety, and the quiet courage it takes to come home to yourself. Soreya shares the powerful story behind changing her name after surviving childhood trauma, and how reclaiming her identity became an act of liberation, healing, and rebirth. Together, Serena and Soreya explore the layers of conditioning that cause so many people — especially introverts and quiet achievers — to shut down, stay small, and hide aspects of themselves in order to feel safe. This conversation also dives into: The relationship between introversion, conditioning, and nervous system safetyWhy many high-performing people are exhausted by the noise and pressure of modern visibility cultureThe healing power of silence, stillness, and softer forms of leadershipHow authenticity can become a quiet form of magnetismWhy “less is more” for introverted entrepreneurs and creativesThe difference between being seen and performing visibilitySoreya’s transformational book Metamorphosis and the journey of reinvention after burnout, loss, and major life transitionsThis episode is a gentle but powerful reminder that you do not need to become louder to make an impact. Sometimes the quietest light is the one that helps people feel safest enough to heal. Key Takeaways Healing often begins when we stop performing and start listening inwardSafety is foundational for self-expression and authentic visibilityIntroversion can be both innate and shaped by conditioning and lived experiencesQuiet, grounded presence can be more powerful than loud visibilitySilence and stillness can create the space needed for transformationBecoming who you truly are is an inward journey, not an external performance About Soreya James Soreya James is a private rehabilitation guide providing bespoke rehabilitation immersions for high-performing individuals under sustained pressure. Her work supports leaders, creatives, and professionals experiencing burnout, addiction patterns, emotional overload, health collapse, or loss of meaning despite outward success. With over 25 years of experience across somatic therapy, breathwork, meditation, and embodied psychology, Soreya works at the level of nervous system regulation and deep transformation rather than surface-level symptom management. Soreya is also the author of Metamorphosis: A Map to Midlife, Menopause and the Mind. Get Coached by Serena If you’re an introverted woman leader ready to become more visible and influential without performing extroversion, I invite you to apply for a SEEN Executive Calibration. 45 minutes via Zoom. Diagnostic, not selling. Root causes, not symptoms. Apply HERE. Work with Serena Low at serenalow.com.au.  Loved this episode? Leave a review to help other Quiet Warriors find the show. This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

    32 min
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Are you an introvert who is tired of hearing that you're too quiet, need to speak up more, or that you lack executive presence and are not ready for promotion? Your host is Serena Low, and her life’s purpose is to help quiet achievers become Quiet Warriors who can speak - lead - and act decisively when called upon, without changing the essence of who you are. As a trauma-informed introvert coach, certified Root-Cause Therapy practitioner, certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach, and author of the Amazon Bestseller, The Hero Within: Reinvent Your Life One New Chapter at a Time, Serena is passionate about helping introverts and quiet achievers minimise:- imposter syndrome, - overthinking, - perfectionism, - low self-worth, - people pleasing,- fear of public speaking,  and other common introvert challenges. Tune in every week for practical tips and inspirational stories about how to thrive as an introvert in a noisy and overstimulating world.

Information

  • Creator
    Serena Low, Introvert Coach for Quiet Achievers and Quiet Warriors
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low
  • Show Website
    The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low