Time To Press Pause - Real-Life Stories from the C-Suite

Ellen Williams
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The only constant is change. To successfully navigate through the change, leaders need the time and space to focus. It’s time to press pause. Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, is the host of these raw, intimate C-Suite "press pause" stories. Listen to the why, when, and how they knew it was time to press pause and their outcomes.  Pausing to focus is crucial, whether it is minutes, days, weeks, or longer because some decisions can be made quickly, but many can’t and shouldn’t.

  1. DEC 11

    Press Pause for Transformation: Judy K. Herman on Retreats, Relationships, and the Risk of Growth

    Send us a text In this episode of Time To Press Pause, Ellen Williams speaks with Judy K. Herman, CEO of Relationship Wellness LLC, psychotherapist, author, and retreat facilitator who has spent decades helping heart-centered professionals step away from the noise of life so they can return transformed.  Judy’s press pause story doesn’t begin in a boardroom. It starts in a graduate school classroom, in the middle of a troubled 30-year marriage, when she realized something had to change, and that something was her.  What followed was a decisive choice: to step away from her day-to-day life and invest in an individual spiritual retreat in Canada. That quiet, intentional pause gave her clarity about her marriage, her identity, and the life she wanted to build next.  From there, Judy:  Became a therapist to better understand her own story and help others with theirsWrote Beyond Messy Relationships, blending her personal journey with client-centered insightsDeveloped her A.I.R. framework for a “vibrantly authentic life”:AwarenessIntentionalityRisk of growthLearned that you can’t change another person—you can only take responsibility for your own next step She talks with Ellen about how retreats, body wisdom, and daily micro-pauses can become catalysts for major life shifts and why once you see something clearly, you can’t go backwards and unsee it.   In this episode, you’ll hear:   How a single retreat became a defining turning point in Judy’s lifeWhy partnership (or the lack of it) shapes both families and businessesWhat it really means to take the “risk of growth” in your personal and professional lifeWhy well-intentioned pushback from others can’t be the final word on your decisionsHow to use body signals, journaling, and daily pauses to know when it’s time to press pause If you’ve ever felt something in your life or leadership isn’t quite aligned, but you can’t yet name what it is, Judy’s story will give you language, frameworks, and courage to explore it.   Learn more about Judy: https://judycounselor.com Learn more about Ellen: https://thesalientstrategist.com  📩 Join the newsletter for updates: https://api.transpond.io/form?am=42668&fid=49041&host=true

    21 min

  2. NOV 27

    When Hollywood Collapsed, He Hit Pause and Rebuilt Everything with Mas Moriya

    Send us a text   In this special Thanksgiving episode, Ellen Williams sits down with Mas Moriya, filmmaker, producer, and founder of Filmclusive, a platform he built from scratch to make hiring in film, TV, and gaming more transparent and equitable.  Mas was once an up-and-coming creative working with the likes of Alicia Keys. But after the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, rising production costs, and the LA fires, the industry around him collapsed.  Friends with feature films, fellowships, and awards were suddenly saying:  “I’m just looking for a job. Any job. I need rent.” That turning point pushed Mas into a powerful pause, a year-long reset where he stepped away from filmmaking entirely to understand what was broken in Hollywood and how to fix it. What he found wasn’t just economic failure… but a systemic lack of tools, structure, and support for working creatives.   So he taught himself software engineering and design, leaning heavily on analogies (including Pokémon!) to understand complex concepts. Yes, The story Mas Moriya shared included a very creative idea on how to learn a new skill. And that learning led him to build Filmclusive, a market network designed to end pay-to-play capitalism in Hollywood and give creatives free access to opportunities and digital tools.   In this episode, Mas and Ellen discuss:   How Hollywood’s economic shifts are pushing out working creativesWhy the industry still depends on spreadsheets and 10 disconnected toolsThe moment he realized no platform truly served filmmakers and performersHow AI and analogy-driven learning helped him teach himself to codeWhy small daily pauses can lead to major life pivotsThe leadership lesson Mas believes every CEO should practice A perfect episode for anyone navigating change, reinvention, or the courage to build something new.   Learn more about Mas: https://www.filmclusive.com/about-founder Learn more about Ellen: https://thesalientstrategist.com  📩 Join the newsletter for updates: https://api.transpond.io/form?am=42668&fid=49041&host=true

    20 min

  3. NOV 13

    Press Pause for Energy: Jenica Norris on Managing Your Mind, Not Your Minutes

    Send us a text   In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams sits down with Jenica Norris, ADHD entrepreneur, systems strategist, and CEO of Strategic Sound Consulting, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to pause when your brain works differently.  Jenica shares how navigating neurodivergence reshaped not only her career path but also the way she approaches energy, focus, and leadership. Instead of forcing herself into rigid productivity systems that never fit, she built a structure that supports how her mind actually works and now teaches others to do the same.  This episode dives into the truth many high performers quietly face: Your success is not determined by how many minutes you manage, but by how well you understand and support your mind.  🎙 In this conversation, you’ll learn:  • Why traditional productivity systems fail neurodivergent leaders  • How to spot when your energy, not your schedule, is telling you to pause  • The difference between bandwidth and capacity  • How small, intentional pauses prevent burnout and expand your effectiveness  • Practical ways to build systems that support your brain, not drain it. Whether you’re neurodivergent, managing a neurodiverse team, or simply tired of productivity advice that doesn’t work in real life, this conversation will help you approach your work with more clarity, compassion, and sustainable energy.  🌐 Learn more about Ellen: https://thesalientstrategist.com  🌐 Learn more about Jenica: https://www.strategicsoundconsulting.com

    17 min

  4. OCT 30

    Strategic Pauses for Faster Progress with Sophie Devonshire

    Send us a text   In this episode of Time to Press Pause, Ellen Williams sits down with Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society and bestselling author of Superfast: Lead at Speed, to talk about why strategic pauses are the fastest way to better decisions, clearer direction, and more sustainable momentum.  Sophie shares her “squiggly career” from P&G and Coca-Cola to founding and selling an e-commerce company, moving overseas, and writing Superfast.  You’ll hear how she builds micro-pauses into projects (pre-mortem, midpoint check, fast feedback), uses the “soak period” when navigating a transition, and why community and coffee chats are non-negotiable when you land somewhere new.  You’ll learn:  How to slow down to speed up (and avoid headless-chicken mode)A simple cadence for year / mid-year / monthly reflection that actually sticksThe “100 coffees” playbook to build a real network (friends, not just contacts)How to frame a break as a “strategic pause” so ambitious teams buy in

    20 min

  5. OCT 16

    Press Pause for Alignment: Stephanie Vaughan on Listening to Your Emotions

    Send us a text What happens when your career no longer aligns with your values? In this episode, Ellen Williams speaks with Stephanie Vaughan, about pressing pause to realign your life, family, and purpose.  From walking away from corporate success to finding fulfillment through intention and emotional awareness, Stephanie shares how listening to your emotions can lead you to the right next step, both in business and at home.  They discuss:  The moment Stephanie realized her career no longer aligned with her valuesHow she turned a leap of faith into a 20-year coaching legacyWhat it really means to balance family, purpose, and ambitionWhy “listening to your emotions” is one of the most powerful leadership toolsIf you’ve ever felt torn between career and family, or struggled to slow down long enough to hear what your next chapter might be, this episode will speak directly to you.  To learn more about Ellen, please visit: https://thesalientstrategist.com/

    19 min

  6. OCT 2

    Press Pause to Pivot: Barbara Lange on Building a Purpose-Driven Business

    Send us a text In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Barbara Lange, Principal and CEO of Kibo 121, about the courage and strategy behind leaving a secure executive role to start a purpose-driven consultancy. Barbara shares how leading an organization through the pandemic sparked her decision to step away after more than a decade, embrace uncertainty, and launch a business dedicated to sustainability in the media technology sector. She offers insight into managing risk, overcoming the fear of losing stability, and using networking and continuous learning to stand out in an emerging space. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders and entrepreneurs ready to pivot their careers and align their work with their values.  To learn more about Barbara, please visit https://www.kibo121.io/ To learn more about Ellen, please visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/

    18 min

  7. SEP 18

    From Scientist to Storyteller: A Press Pause Story with Laura Lampa

    Send us a text   In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, speaks with Laura Lampa, owner and CEO of LML StoryLab Consulting. Laura shares her incredible journey from a career in science to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Laura reveals how a layoff became her pivotal "press pause" moment, forcing her to trust herself, embrace uncertainty, and launch her own business. This conversation is for anyone who has considered leaving a secure career to build something on their own terms. In this episode, you'll discover: How a layoff can be a catalyst for a life-changing career pivot.The courage it takes to leave the safety of a secure job for entrepreneurship.Why stress feels different when it's tied to passion and purpose.The importance of listening to your inner voices of doubt, as they often point to your true passions.The pleasure of working for clients who believe in you and your vision. More from Laura Lampa: Website: https://lmlstorylab.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralampa/  More from Ellen Williams: Website: https://thesalientstrategist.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenwilliamsny/Contact: ellen@thesalientstrategist.com

    17 min

  8. SEP 4

    The Courage to Press Pause: Ed Clementi on Leaving a C-Suite Career to Find Alignment

    Send us a text How do you rise from security guard to managing director at Morgan Stanley?   Ed Clementi did just that and then made the bold choice to bet on himself by walking away from a C-Suite career to build his own company, Inspired Fire.  In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, dives into Ed’s story of resilience, self-belief, and the importance of finding alignment in your career.  In this episode, you’ll discover:  How Ed rose from security guard to managing director. The crucial leadership lessons he learned from mentors who saw his potential and gave him room to grow. Why "betting on yourself" might be the most important career decision you ever make. How to recognize the signs that it’s time to "press pause" and realign your path. The simple yet powerful analogy of staying on the "wrong train" and how it applies to your career. More from Ellen:   Website: https://thesalientstrategist.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenwilliamsny/  Contact: ellen@thesalientstrategist.com    More from Ed Clementi:  Website: https://edclementi.com/Newsletter: https://edclementi.com/newsletter/

    18 min
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The only constant is change. To successfully navigate through the change, leaders need the time and space to focus. It’s time to press pause. Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, is the host of these raw, intimate C-Suite "press pause" stories. Listen to the why, when, and how they knew it was time to press pause and their outcomes.  Pausing to focus is crucial, whether it is minutes, days, weeks, or longer because some decisions can be made quickly, but many can’t and shouldn’t.

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