The Executive Reset

Rachael Alba
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

I built a successful multi 6-figure private practice and a vibrant membership community with over 50 professional business partners. My success is not luck. It's about building on the foundation of clarity. I've put a lot of sweat (and a few tears) into everything I've built and I've learned that without a healthy self, the business will inevitably suffer. I work with women who are capable, ambitious, and tired of being the only person holding the full picture. Here, I bring strategic clarity and human sustainability into the same room. If you're ready for more peace, more power, and more purpose, it's here for you. I'll help you turn complexity into a clear next move with less stress and more success. 

Episodes

  1. 17h ago

    How to Navigate Performance Reviews When Women Face a Smaller Margin for Error

    Why do women often have to work harder to prove their competence, while their mistakes carry greater consequences? In this episode, we explore the double standards women face in performance evaluations, from the landmark Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins Supreme Court case to the everyday realities of being held to a higher standard at work. We unpack how gender bias shapes the way mistakes are interpreted, how successes are credited, and how women’s competence and leadership are scrutinized more closely than their peers’. We also examine the emotional and professional toll of having a smaller margin for error, including perfectionism, over-functioning, imposter feelings, and the pressure to play it safe rather than take the risks that lead to advancement. Most importantly, we discuss practical ways to navigate these dynamics: documenting your accomplishments, shaping the narrative when things go wrong, making context visible, building a network of advocates, and continuing to take calculated risks. For leaders and managers, we explore how to make performance evaluations fairer and ensure that mistakes are judged consistently. The takeaway? The problem isn’t necessarily that women make more mistakes. It’s that their mistakes can cost more. It’s time to challenge the double standards, protect your confidence, and build workplaces where an error is treated as an event—not a verdict on your ability. Tune in for an honest conversation about gender bias, workplace performance, and how to thrive when the margin for error isn’t equal. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  2. 5d ago

    The Mindful Reset: A New Approach to Growth for Female Leaders

    What if personal growth didn’t require endless weekly therapy sessions? In this episode, we explore why traditional therapy may not always meet the needs of busy female leaders and introduce a more focused, action-oriented approach to personal and professional growth. Discover how the Mindful Reset helps women address self-doubt, perfectionism, anxiety, stress, boundaries, and relationship patterns through strategic self-discovery and tangible tools. Because you can lead with ambition without sacrificing your well-being. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  3. Nov 5

    Authentic Leadership Without the Emotional Exhaustion

    Why do women leaders feel the need to monitor every word, expression, and emotional reaction a twork? And what is the hidden cost of constantly trying to get it “just right”? In this episode, we explore the emotional surveillance many women experience in leadership: the pressure to be confident but not intimidating, passionate but not angry, and composed but always warm. While a man’s frustration may be interpreted as conviction, a woman’s can quickly become a judgment about her personality. The result? A relentless cycle of self-monitoring, emotional suppression, and second-guessing that can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and a growing disconnect from our authentic selves. We’ll explore why this extra emotional labor happens, how it follows us long after the meeting ends, and six practical ways to reduce hypervigilance and lead with greater authenticity. You’ll learn how to distinguish emotional regulation from suppression, create space to respond rather than react, challenge the stories you replay in your head, and find the supportive spaces where you can finally exhale. The goal isn’t to feel less. It’s to spend less energy policing how others might interpret what you feel. If you’re ready to stop overthinking, reconnect with yourself, and lead with less stress and more confidence, this episode is for you. And if you’re ready to take that work deeper, discover the Mindful Reset — a four-hour session designed to help women leaders understand the patterns keeping them stuck in their heads and develop practical strategies for lasting change. Book a call via the link in the show notes. Until next time, wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  4. Oct 29

    The Hidden Tax of Asking: Women, Money & the Art of Negotiating

    Ever felt that knot in your stomach before asking for a raise, negotiating a job offer, or advocating for what you deserve? For many women, negotiating compensation comes with an added layer of anxiety: the fear of being perceived as greedy, demanding, or difficult simply for asking to be paid fairly. In this episode, we’re unpacking the hidden tax women often pay when negotiating their worth. From gender bias and unclear salary ranges to the sponsorship gap and the subtle ways women are encouraged to be grateful rather than compensated fairly, we explore why asking for more can feel so vulnerable—and why the consequences of asking less can follow you throughout your career. I also share a personal experience of negotiating a raise, facing rejection, and watching a once-positive professional relationship deteriorate. Because the truth is, even when you do everything right, the system doesn’t always reward women for advocating for themselves. But this conversation isn’t about asking women to work harder to overcome bias. It’s about giving you the tools, information, and confidence to advocate for yourself without carrying the weight of a broken system. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Use market data and salary benchmarks to make a compelling, evidence-based case for higher pay.Anchor your compensation request with a specific, well-supported number.Frame your ask around your value, results, and organizational goals.Navigate the fear of backlash without minimizing what you deserve.Negotiate beyond base salary, including bonuses, equity, titles, flexibility, and scope.Make compensation conversations a regular part of your career strategy.Recognize how workplace culture and leadership practices can either reinforce or reduce pay inequity.Your worth isn’t up for debate, and asking to be compensated fairly shouldn’t come at the expense of your likability, relationships, or peace of mind. If you’re ready to elevate your position, increase your earning potential, and approach your next career move with greater clarity and confidence, this episode is for you. And if you’re looking for personalized support, I offer a 90-day, high-touch business partnership for women navigating growth as entrepreneurs or employees. Book a call through the link in the show notes to explore whether we’d be a good fit. Until next time, I’m wishing you more peace, more profit, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  5. Oct 22

    When Work and Family Compete: How to Release the Guilt and Reclaim Your Peace

    Do you ever feel like you’re falling short at work because you’re thinking about home—and falling short at home because you’re thinking about work? For women in executive roles, the pressure to be the ideal leader and the ideal mother, daughter, or partner can feel impossible to escape. The result? Chronic guilt, mental overload, and the exhausting feeling of never being fully present anywhere. In this episode, we’re unpacking the connection between guilt and role conflict, exploring the invisible mental load women carry, the double standards surrounding caregiving, and the emotional toll of trying to do it all. Most importantly, we’ll explore why the problem isn’t you—it’s the impossible standards you’ve been expected to meet. You’ll discover practical ways to: Separate guilt from actual wrongdoing and challenge unrealistic expectations.Define what “enough” looks like for you at work and at home.Make the invisible mental load visible and create a more equitable division of responsibilities. Resources: All the Rage and Fair Play. Be more present in the moments that matter without needing to be everywhere at once.Embrace outside support, set boundaries, and connect with other women who understand the struggle.Help create workplace cultures where caregiving and leadership can coexist without judgment.You don’t have to attend every event, answer every message, or carry every responsibility to be a successful executive and a loving mother. You can be deeply committed to both without being perfect at either. Your guilt is not a verdict on your performance. It may be a signal that the expectations placed on you need to change. This week, choose one strategy to try and see what shifts. If chronic guilt or shame is keeping you stuck in a cycle of overfunctioning and exhaustion, The Mindful Reset may help you reconnect with yourself and find a more sustainable path forward. Reach out through the link in the show notes. Until next week, wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  6. Oct 15

    Imposter Feelings: When You’re Qualified but Still Questioning Whether You Belong

    Have you ever achieved something significant, only to wonder whether you really deserved it? Do you find yourself discounting your success, over-preparing to prove your competence, or waiting for the moment someone discovers you’re not as capable as they think? For many high-achieving women, imposter feelings aren’t simply a confidence problem. They can also be a response to environments where credibility is questioned, representation is limited, and the message that you don’t quite belong shows up in a hundred subtle ways. In this episode, we explore what imposter feelings look like in women’s leadership, from minimizing accomplishments and over-qualifying for opportunities to holding back bold ideas and feeling pressure to prove yourself again and again. We’ll look at how workplace culture, unconscious bias, and a lack of representation can reinforce self-doubt—and why even the next promotion may not make those feelings disappear. Most importantly, we’ll discuss practical ways to challenge the story that you’re not good enough. You’ll learn how to distinguish internal self-doubt from real environmental barriers, keep an evidence file of your accomplishments, seek specific and meaningful feedback, and learn to take action even when uncertainty is present. Because the goal isn’t to eliminate every doubt or know all the answers. It’s to recognize your competence, trust the evidence, and give yourself permission to keep learning as you lead. If imposter feelings are holding you back, The Mindful Reset intensives offer a framework for quieting self-doubt and strengthening self-confidence. If you’re ready for support, reach out to learn about upcoming opportunities and join the waitlist. This week’s reflection: The next time you question whether you belong, pause and ask yourself: What does the evidence actually say—and what might my environment be teaching me to believe about myself? You don’t have to feel completely confident to be capable. And you don’t have to know everything to deserve your seat at the table. Until next week, I’m wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  7. Oct 15

    Mentors Give Advice, Sponsors Open Doors: The Missing Link in Women’s Leadership Advancement

    You’re doing excellent work. You’re getting positive feedback, receiving thoughtful advice, and investing in your professional growth. So why aren’t you moving forward? For many high-achieving women, the missing piece isn’t talent, experience, or mentorship. It’s sponsorship. In this episode, we explore the critical difference between having a mentor who helps you navigate your career and having a sponsor who advocates for you when important decisions are being made. Sponsors put their own credibility behind your name, recommend you for high-profile assignments, and help ensure you’re considered for the opportunities that lead to advancement. We’ll look at why women can receive plenty of guidance yet still lack the advocacy that moves careers forward. From informal networks and relationship gaps to the tendency to reward women for past performance while recognizing potential in others, we’ll explore how sponsorship gaps can leave talented women overlooked—and wondering what more they need to do to prove themselves. We’ll also discuss the emotional toll of working hard without seeing the expected return, including the self-doubt, resentment, and over-functioning that can follow when you assume the answer is simply to do more. Most importantly, you’ll learn practical ways to change the equation: identify who advocates for you when you’re not in the room, communicate your ambitions clearly, build relationships with multiple sponsors, and become an advocate for other women coming up behind you. Because great work matters, but it doesn’t always speak for itself. Advancement also depends on who knows your value, who recognizes your potential, and who is willing to put their reputation behind you. This week’s reflection: Who is speaking your name when important opportunities are being discussed? And if no one comes to mind, what is one relationship you could begin cultivating today? Women’s advancement isn’t just about becoming more qualified. It’s also about ensuring the right people are willing to open doors—and creating workplaces where advocacy is part of leadership. Here’s to building careers where your talent is not only recognized, but actively championed. Until next week, I’m wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  8. Oct 15

    The Only Woman in the Room: Navigating Isolation, Visibility, and Leadership Pressure

    Have you ever felt like you weren’t just representing yourself in the boardroom, but every woman who came before you? When you’re one of the few women at the executive level, the pressure can go far beyond doing your job well. You may feel more visible, more scrutinized, and less free to make the mistakes that are part of being human. In this episode, we explore the psychological and professional impact of being a woman in a room where few others share your experience. From feeling pressure to represent all women to being overlooked, excluded from informal networks, or expected to take on additional diversity and mentoring responsibilities, these experiences can create a unique burden that often goes unspoken. We’ll also talk about the emotional toll of carrying these experiences alone—the isolation, hypervigilance, and self-doubt that can emerge even when you have every reason to believe you belong. Most importantly, we’ll discuss practical ways to navigate these dynamics without making your own resilience the solution to a structural problem. You’ll learn how to build a confidential support network, cultivate meaningful allies and sponsors, set boundaries around representational work, and recognize why having people in your corner matters. Because being one of few is not a personal failure or a test of your resilience. And you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of your leadership journey alone. If you’re ready for support as you navigate leadership challenges or the demands of business ownership, I’d love to help through Mindful Reset or Business Reset. This week’s reflection: Where are you carrying something alone that would feel lighter if you had the right people in your corner? Join me as we explore how to lead with greater connection, confidence, and support. Until next week, I’m wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  9. Oct 15

    When Perfectionism Becomes a Leadership Trap: Breaking the Cycle of Over-Functioning

    Do you find yourself over-preparing, struggling to delegate, or holding yourself to a standard no one else is expected to meet? For many women in executive roles, perfectionism isn’t simply about high standards. It’s a survival strategy shaped by the pressure to prove yourself, avoid mistakes, and protect the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve. In this episode, we explore the connection between perfectionism, anxiety, and over-functioning—and how the very behaviors that once helped you succeed can eventually limit your effectiveness as a leader. From rewriting the presentation one more time to thinking, “It’s faster if I just do it myself,” these patterns can leave you exhausted, resentful, and carrying far more than your role requires. You’ll learn practical strategies to break the cycle without compromising your standards, including how to distinguish high-stakes work from low-stakes tasks, delegate outcomes instead of controlling every detail, experiment with doing less, and redefine what competence looks like at the executive level. Because effective leadership isn’t about doing everything flawlessly. It’s about knowing where your energy matters most, building capability in others, and learning to recover from mistakes without questioning your worth. This week’s reflection: Where might you be holding yourself to a standard no one else is held to—and what would happen if you gave yourself permission to do things differently? Join me as we explore how to trade constant self-vigilance for greater leverage, sustainability, and peace. Wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  10. Oct 14

    The Roles We Were Born to Fill: Breaking Free from the Double Bind

    What happens when the qualities that make you a strong leader are the very qualities you’re criticized for as a woman? Inspired by Mona Lisa Smile and the phrase “the roles you were born to fill,” this episode explores the double bind ambitious women face in a culture that often expects them to be both powerful and accommodating, decisive and warm, confident but never too confident. We’ll unpack how gender stereotypes shape the way women are perceived at work, from being labeled “aggressive” for speaking up to being overlooked for leadership because they’re seen as “a great team player.” We’ll also explore the hidden emotional cost of constantly monitoring your tone, softening your message, and questioning whether you’re showing up as your authentic self. Most importantly, this conversation isn’t about finding the perfect balance between being strong and being likable. It’s about recognizing the structural barriers at play, letting go of unnecessary self-blame, and reclaiming your power with intention. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for navigating biased feedback, communicating with purpose, finding trusted allies, and deciding when to flex and when to hold the line. Because the goal isn’t to become better at fitting into the roles we were born to fill. It’s to have the clarity, confidence, and support to challenge them. Until next week, wishing you more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  11. Oct 10

    Welcome to The Executive Reset: More Peace, More Power, More Purpose

    What if you could build a successful business and lead with ambition without sacrificing your mental health in the process? Welcome to The Executive Reset, a podcast for ambitious women who want to lead well, grow strategically, and feel just as strong on the inside as they appear on the outside. In this introductory episode, Rachel, a licensed psychotherapist and business advisor, shares why she created this space and what you can expect from the conversations ahead. Drawing on 15 years of experience in psychotherapy, her work advising business owners and executives, and her own experience running two businesses, Rachel explores the often-overlooked connection between how we feel and how we lead. From the constant hum of anxiety and the pressure to hold it all together to revenue ceilings, lead generation, and the challenge of building a sustainable business, we’ll get into both the psychology behind leadership and the practical strategies that move your business forward. This isn’t about slowing down your ambition or following someone else’s version of success. It’s about understanding what drives you, making clearer decisions, and building a business and a life that actually support one another. If you’re ready to move from reactive to responsive, trade overwhelm for clarity, and lead with more ease both in the boardroom and within yourself, you’re in the right place. Let’s close the extra tabs in our brains and lead well. In this episode, we explore: Why psychology and business strategy are more connected than you might think.The hidden mental load of being an ambitious woman in leadership.How to pursue success without running yourself into the ground.What it means to build a business that supports your life, not just your next revenue goal.What you can expect from The Executive Reset.Here’s to more peace, more power, and more purpose. Learn more about the mindful side of leadership here.  Learn more about high touch 1:1 business partnership here.

  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

I built a successful multi 6-figure private practice and a vibrant membership community with over 50 professional business partners. My success is not luck. It's about building on the foundation of clarity. I've put a lot of sweat (and a few tears) into everything I've built and I've learned that without a healthy self, the business will inevitably suffer. I work with women who are capable, ambitious, and tired of being the only person holding the full picture. Here, I bring strategic clarity and human sustainability into the same room. If you're ready for more peace, more power, and more purpose, it's here for you. I'll help you turn complexity into a clear next move with less stress and more success. 

Information

  • Creator
    Rachael Alba
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Executive Reset
  • Show Website
    The Executive Reset

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