The Pausecast

Rachael O'Meara || The Pausecast
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Pausecast podcast helps high-achieving leaders move beyond overwhelm and self-doubt to reclaim their confidence in their next career steps using Emotional Intelligence, Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and more. Hosted by Rachael O’Meara, MBA, MA, is a PCC executive coach with over a decade at Google and co-founder of SIC Venture Studio. Her 3 books 'Pause', 'Pause the Journal', and her latest collaboration 'Leading with Self-Awareness' are key resources for career growth. Her work is featured in the NYT, WSJ, HBR, and TEDx.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep. 248 From Autopilot to Awe with VIP Saul Blinkoff

    What if the shift you desire isn’t about DOING more, but becoming more intentional about who you are BEING as you DO? ✨ I got to sit down with former Disney animator, Hollywood producer, speaker, and host of Life of Awesome podcast, Saul Blinkoff, for a conversation on awe, purpose, and what it really means to wake up to your own life - all told in Saul's mesmerizing hollywood-esque narration using Disney movie themes, voices, and analogies. Ep. 248 is off the hook IMHO, and a must-listen for anyone who is feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or like life has become a blur of responsibilities and routines, this episode is your invitation to pause, look up, and remember what makes you feel fully alive. 💫 So many of us are moving fast, checking boxes, and living in a constant state of mental noise. Saul shares why pause isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. From his guided pause he kicks off with - based on his 25-year ritual of listening daily to the Gladiator soundtrack 🎶- to lessons from movies like The Lion King, and E.T. Saul offers a powerful reminder: life becomes more meaningful when we stop living on autopilot and start intentionally noticing what’s right in front of us. Together, we explore:✨ Why awe is a practice, not just a feeling ✨ How music, frequency, and intentional rituals can shift your internal state ✨ The difference between “dreaming” and "goals" and how to do both. ✨ Why responsibility is actually one of the most empowering mindsets you can adopt ✨ How small moments of presence, gratitude, and attention create a more meaningful life Podcast Chapters 1:36 – Why Pause Isn’t a LuxurySaul opens with why busy minds need intentional pauses and introduces his relationship with pause.3:02 – The Gladiator Ritual: Music, Frequency & PresenceSaul shares his 25-year daily ritual of listening to the Gladiator soundtrack and how music shifts internal state.14:19 – From Resistance to Breakthrough: Drawing Mickey MouseLessons from Saul’s Disney workshop on creativity, discomfort, and unlocking hidden potential.18:13 – Rejection, Resilience & Chasing Disney DreamsSaul shares being rejected by Disney twice, the role of fear, and how Rudy changed his trajectory.36:49 – “Remember Who You Are” | The Lion King Lesson on Purpose & ResponsibilitySaul unpacks the deeper leadership lesson from The Lion King and why meaning matters more than happiness.Bonus final chapter:42:59 – Where to Find Saul + Final Reflections My favorite moments: One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Saul’s reframing of what many leaders are actually craving. Not just happiness. Not another accomplishment. Meaning. Because happiness often depends on what’s happening around us. Meaning comes from how we choose to show up within it. Because awe isn’t reserved for mountaintops, sunsets, or vacations. It’s available in ordinary moments, too, if we’re paying attention. My favorite Saul quote: “The only way to tap into awe is to pause.” ✨ That about sums up this pause-some awe-some Episode 248. Pause Song Credit: Honor Him, version from Mathias Fritsche, from The Gladiator score by Hans Zimmer. Watch Ep. 248 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yf0Lt2xM7fk

    45 min

  2. APR 28

    Ep. 247 Networking Minus the Dread 🤝⚡

    Networking shouldn’t feel like another task on your already full mental stack. And yet for many of us high-achieving leaders, it still does. Or worse, that dark cloudy dread sets in just thinking about it. Not because you don’t know how to do it…But because your energy is already stretched before you even walk into the room. Whether it’s a conference, a 1:1, or a virtual intro, the real shift isn’t about doing networking better. It’s about showing up differently. In this episode 247 of The Pausecast, I revisit one of the most practical frameworks I share with clients for making connection feel more natural, grounded, and actually effective. I break down:✨ A simple reset to ground your nervous system before you engage✨ The 3 key moments that shape every networking interaction (before, during, after)✨ How to stop over-efforting and start connecting from presence instead of performance This isn’t about being more polished. It’s about being more you, with less internal noise. Because the goal isn’t more conversations. It’s better energy in the ones that matter. If networking has felt heavy, dread-y or performative lately, you’re not alone, but it does require a new approach. Here's how to do it.

    17 min

  3. APR 21

    Ep. 246 From Overwhelm to Authority: How To Make Your Next Move 🚀

    This one is for you as a high-achieving leader who’s doing everything right on paper… and still feels that quiet disconnect underneath. In this episode 246, I share a real client moment around presence and influence.Not the performative kind. The kind where you stop carrying the emotional weight of the room, stop shrinking or posturing… and start leading from grounded authority. Because here’s the truth no one says out loud in big tech:When you’re oscillating between feeling “not enough” and “too much,” your energy leaks, and others sense it. Now, you can start to shift that as we get into: 🔎 Why even the most capable leaders drift from their “ideal self” (and how overwhelm plays a bigger role than you think)💪 What real personal agency looks like in high-stakes environments: without overcompensating or disappearing🛠 Simple, go-to tools to regulate your energy so your presence actually lands🚀 How to close the gap between who you are today and the leader your next role requires🌟 What it means to lead with clarity… even when the path ahead isn’t fully mapped out This isn’t about becoming someone new.It’s about removing what’s been quietly getting in your way. If you’re navigating your next career move, or feeling that subtle “stuck but successful” tension… this one will hit. 🎧 Tune in.

    14 min
  4. Ep. 245 You Built the Career… Now What? Purpose & Resilience in Tech Leadership: Ishwar Joshi

    APR 14

    Ep. 245 You Built the Career… Now What? Purpose & Resilience in Tech Leadership: Ishwar Joshi

    You’ve done everything “right.” Career milestones, promotions, accolades. And yet… something still feels off. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to lead with purpose and stay resilient in tech without burning out. We explore why high performance alone doesn’t create fulfillment and how grounding yourself in clarity and presence changes everything. In This Episode: • What to do when your success no longer feels like enough• A more honest definition of resilience (that doesn’t require burnout)• Staying grounded and clear in a fast-moving, AI-driven industry• Balancing ambition with presence… without losing your edge• Why purpose is something you practice daily, not just something you find Final Thoughts: If you’ve been running full speed but quietly questioning what it’s all for, this conversation is for you. It’s about recalibrating, reclaiming your center, and leading from a place that actually feels aligned. Resources & Links: ⁠AI for Business⁠ : Wharton School Ishwar's site for free ebook via web site:⁠https://ishwarjoshi.com⁠ Ishawar on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishwarjoshi/⁠ Feeling ready to step out of overdrive and lead with clarity? Message me “ALIGN” on LinkedIn or reach out and let’s explore how to reclaim purpose without losing your momentum.

    26 min

  5. APR 7

    Ep. 244 9 Years Later… Pause Matters More Than Ever

    Nine years ago, Pause was a helpful idea when the book came out April 4, 2017.Today, it’s essential. In this pause-a-versary episode, I share what's different, and what's the same over the past 9 years pause has been in the wild. I reflect on what’s changed, and why the cost of staying in overdrive is not sustainable - esp. in our era of AI, 24x7, even the trendy 996 worklife. The point is, that works great. Until, it doesn't. The facts speak for themselves, from 2025: 📉 82% of workers are at risk of burnout.🧠 Multitasking is lowering our IQ and increasing errors.📲 We’re processing up to 70,000 messages a day. This isn’t just about pace.It’s about what that pace is doing to your clarity, energy, and leadership. From my experience at Google to the leaders I coach today, I’m seeing the same pattern: high performance on the outside… disconnection underneath. And this is where pause becomes a skill. ✨ Why pause matters more now than it did 9 years ago 🧠 What’s happening in your brain when you’re stuck in overdrive ⚡ The hidden cost of “always on” 🌿 How intentional pause restores clarity and grounded confidence Inspired by Viktor Frankl (also the dedication/intro quote to Pause the book) , we come back to one truth: There is a space between stimulus and response.And in that space… is your power. But most leaders have lost access to it. In this episode, I share the TASER technique—a practical way to interrupt stress in real time—and explore how AI and constant input are accelerating the need for pause, not replacing it. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, checked out, or stuck in constant motion, this is your invitation to recalibrate. Because your next level won’t come from doing more. It comes from knowing when—and how—to pause. If something in this conversation made you stop… don’t skip past it. That’s your signal. Pause will help you listen—and lead from a place that actually feels aligned. Get or gift the book - audio, print or digital.

    17 min
  6. Ep. 243 Getting Real with Sharon Salzberg

    MAR 31

    Ep. 243 Getting Real with Sharon Salzberg

    In this Ep. 243, I sit down with Sharon Salzberg, renoun author and someone known for helping the western world "learn how to meditate." We unpack what “pause” really means in the business world. Not silence, not shutting your mind off, but learning how to meet your thoughts, your stress, your inner noise with clarity and presence. If slowing down feels uncomfortable, or even a little threatening, you’re not alone. This conversation will help you understand why, and show you a more grounded way in. We explore:• Why meditation isn’t about emptying your mind, it’s about changing your relationship to it• What’s actually underneath the discomfort of stillness, and how to move through it• How to create mutual relationships, and what happens when you truly see someone eye to eye• Simple ways to shift your perspective, interrupt autopilot, and reconnect to your energy Sharon brings decades of practice, along with insights from her book Real Love, to make this work feel accessible and real. Not perfect, not performative, but human. This episode is for you if you’ve been running on empty, questioning your next step, or quietly wondering if there’s another way to lead and live. Because the truth is, pause isn’t a luxury. It’s a skill. And it might be the one thing that changes everything. If this resonates, reach out. You don’t have to figure it out alone. About Sharon Salzberg Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, NY Times bestselling author of fourteen books, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She is among the first to bring meditation to mainstream American culture over fifty years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. www.sharonsalzberg.com About Rachael O'Meara, Pausecast Host, Speaker and Author Rachael O'Meara, MBA, MA, PCC helps high achieving leaders move beyond overwhelm and self-doubt to reclaim their confidence and make their next big career move. Her book Pause was a top business book for your career based on her burnout of Google, and she has been featured in the New York Times, WSJ.com, HBR and on the TEDx stage.

    46 min

  7. MAR 24

    Ep. 242: Layoffs & AI: The Real Fear No One Talks About

    👉 It’s not just layoffs or AI—it’s an identity shift. If your role changed tomorrow… who would you be? 👀 It’s not just layoffs.It’s not even just AI. It’s the quiet question many high achieving leaders are sitting with right now:“If my role changes… or disappears… who am I?” In this episode, we go beyond surface-level career anxiety and into what’s really happening underneath...an identity shift. If you’ve been feeling unsettled, questioning your next move, or noticing yourself overworking, overthinking, or pulling back, chances are this episode will help you make sense of it. You’ll learn: Why this time in tech (er...maybe the entire planet!?) is triggering deeper identity questions The 3 uncomfortable truths about identity shifts (and why they feel so hard!) Why you can’t think your way through this and what actually helps How to navigate the “in-between” without losing confidence Simple ways to ground your energy so you can take your next step This isn’t about having all the answers.It’s about learning how to move through uncertainty with more clarity, self-trust, and intention. If you’re in a moment of transition, chosen or not, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to rush your way through it. Watch on YouTube. Next Steps & Support: DM me “identity” for tools to support you. Or reach out if you’re navigating a transition and want deeper 1:1 support.

    28 min

  8. MAR 17

    Ep. 241 🎙️ Ruthless Priorities, Relationships, and Resetting for Tech Careers

    "Where do you prioritize, ruthlessly prioritize, and where do you focus your time and your energy? It's about investing in meaningful relationships and creating balance." - Alyssa Stein, Sr. Director, Cisco In this episode, VIP guest Alyssa Stein, Senior Director at Cisco, shares a rare, grounded look at what it actually takes to step into a new leadership role with confidence, clarity, and influence. When you switch roles, it’s not about proving yourself fast—it’s about leading wisely from day one. ⏸️ 💼 After 15 years at Google, Alyssa made a major transition—becoming “new again” at a senior level. She opens up about how she approached this shift intentionally: setting boundaries early, prioritizing what truly mattered, and resisting the pressure to over perform or over explain. Alyssa also reflects on some of her most defining leadership moments—leading through layoffs with compassion, hosting a global leadership offsite in Cleveland, and doubling down on culture and relationships during uncertain times. Her perspective is steady, human, and deeply earned. Throughout the conversation, Alyssa shares practical wisdom on: How to ruthlessly prioritize when everything feels important Why boundaries are a leadership strength—not a liability How to stay confident and influential without burning yourself out And how to remember that you are more than your job, even in high-stakes roles Key Moments 00:15 - Alyssa's proudest career moment 02:17 - Building culture through people and the importance of reconnecting 03:48 - Challenging moments: navigating layoffs with compassion and support 05:27 - The power of pause: reflecting in turbulent times 06:48 - Resilience after burnout and the importance of grit 08:20 - Alyssa’s "one simple thing" for maintaining work-life balance: family routines 09:43 - Modeling kindness and empathy at home and in leadership 13:24 - The value of ruthlessly prioritizing and setting boundaries 16:20 - Navigating new roles and the learning curve in large organizations 20:23 - Building relationships in remote and startup environments 22:52 - Practical advice for visibility in fast-paced workplaces 23:22 - Guidance for feeling stuck or stagnant: taking one step at a time 24:37 - Closing thoughts and commitments to personal and professional development LINKS ⁠⁠Alyssa Stein - LinkedIn⁠⁠ — Connect with Alyssa for leadership insights ⁠Rachael's book: Pause⁠ — The concept Alyssa references for reflection and resilience If you’re stepping into a new tech leadership role—or quietly questioning how to lead with more confidence and less self-pressure—Alyssa’s story will resonate deeply. 🌿

    23 min
See All (242)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Pausecast podcast helps high-achieving leaders move beyond overwhelm and self-doubt to reclaim their confidence in their next career steps using Emotional Intelligence, Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and more. Hosted by Rachael O’Meara, MBA, MA, is a PCC executive coach with over a decade at Google and co-founder of SIC Venture Studio. Her 3 books 'Pause', 'Pause the Journal', and her latest collaboration 'Leading with Self-Awareness' are key resources for career growth. Her work is featured in the NYT, WSJ, HBR, and TEDx.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachael O'Meara || The Pausecast
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    242
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachael O'Meara || The Pausecast
  • Show Website
    The Pausecast