The Executive Exhale Podcast

Tammy Delaney-Plugowsky

The Executive Exhale Podcast is your space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters as a leader. Hosted by executive wellness coach and HeartBreath™ guide Tammy, this podcast is designed for high-achieving professionals who are feeling the weight of stress, burnout, or misalignment in their careers and lives. Through candid conversations, expert insights, and powerful mindfulness practices, we explore what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and well-being. Whether you're navigating career transitions, seeking work-life balance, or simply looking for tools to manage stress more effectively, The Executive Exhale podcast offers real talk, deep insights, and actionable strategies to help you exhale, reset, and thrive.

  1. Jun 30

    110 | What If Success Isn't Supposed to Feel This Way? What Is It Really Costing You?

    Send us Fan Mail Interested in joining a small, curated Leadership Experience this fall? I'm creating an intimate, in person experience for leaders who are ready to step away from constant pressure, create space to think, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. If today's conversation resonates with you and you'd like to be among the first to receive the details before they're shared publicly, send an email to info@executiveexhale.com with the subject line Leadership Experience. The question in today's episode is....what if success isn't supposed to feel this way? Many leaders have done everything they thought they were supposed to do. They worked hard, achieved their goals, earned the promotions, and became the person everyone could count on. So why does success sometimes feel so heavy? In this episode, I share why Executive Exhale is evolving and the realization that changed not only my business, but my definition of leadership and success. Together, we'll explore: • Why burnout is often the outcome, not the problem. • The hidden impact of sustained pressure on our health, decision making, relationships, and confidence. • Why so many successful leaders quietly lose themselves while trying to hold everything together. • How redefining success can help us build lives that are both meaningful and sustainable. At the heart of this episode is the mission guiding the next chapter of Executive Exhale: Helping leaders build lives where success no longer comes at the expense of their health, confidence, relationships, or sense of self. If you've ever wondered why success doesn't feel the way you thought it would, this conversation is for you. Reflection Question What has success been costing you? Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    110 | What If Success Isn't Supposed to Feel This Way? What Is It Really Costing You?
  2. Apr 7

    109 | The Pattern You’ve Been Living Your Whole Life (And Why It’s Still Running You)

    Send us Fan Mail You can understand your patterns. You can even explain where they come from. And yet, you still find yourself reacting the same way; again and again. In this episode, we look at why awareness alone isn’t enough to create change. This isn’t about more insight. It’s about learning how to work with what’s happening in the moment, so that you can start responding differently. I also share a bit of my own experience, including where traditional approaches helped and where they didn’t fully take me where I needed to go. If you’ve ever felt like you “know better”, but still find yourself stuck in the same reactions, this episode will likely resonate. Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    109 | The Pattern You’ve Been Living Your Whole Life (And Why It’s Still Running You)
  3. Feb 6

    108 | Why Understanding Stress Does Not Stop It

    Send us Fan Mail I break down why many high functioning people remain stressed despite insight, rest, and good habits. This episode looks at the physiology of stress and what allows the stress cycle to truly settle. If you are functional but depleted, and stress never fully lets go, Break the Stress Cycle was designed for that exact space. It works at the level stress actually runs, without adding more to your plate.  Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    108 | Why Understanding Stress Does Not Stop It
  4. Jan 13

    106 | Micro Boundaries, Major Relief: Small Habits for Burnout Proof Leadership

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Executive Exhale Podcast, I sit down with life and career coach Sophia Mikelionis, founder of Gearing Together, to talk about burnout, boundaries, and the permission to pivot when a role or culture is slowly shrinking you. We unpack what it looks like to stop outsourcing your self worth to your resume, especially for high achieving women and first gen success stories carrying invisible pressure. Sophia shares practical micro habits that protect your energy in real time, including how to use your calendar, narrate workload, and set boundaries that actually stick without derailing your career. If you are a leader who feels overtaxed, always on, and quietly wondering how long you can keep going like this, this conversation is your reminder that sustainable leadership starts with small choices and a return to self before the next rise. Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn, watch her on YouTube or go to her Website.  Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    106 | Micro Boundaries, Major Relief: Small Habits for Burnout Proof Leadership
  5. Jan 5

    105 | Burnout, Decision Fatigue, and How Leaders Reclaim Control Under Pressure

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Executive Exhale Podcast, I sit down with executive coach Weronika Sobolak, a former Meta leader who built global teams and later navigated her own experience of burnout and stress related health impacts. We talk about how burnout often builds quietly through decision fatigue, disrupted sleep, and gradual energy depletion long before a breaking point. Weronika shares practical tools leaders can use under pressure, including her Rule of Five mindset reset, simple ways to listen to what the body is holding, and how EFT tapping can support nervous system regulation. We also explore what organizations do that unintentionally accelerate burnout, especially lack of clarity, feedback, and direction during constant change. We wrap with a grounded reminder that sustainable leadership starts with pausing, building a strong support system, and aligning daily actions with what truly matters. Want to connect with Weronika? Click HERE Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    105 | Burnout, Decision Fatigue, and How Leaders Reclaim Control Under Pressure
  6. 12/22/2025

    104 | The Quiet Weight of the Holiday Season

    Send us Fan Mail This time of year can carry a lot. At work, we are often trying to wrap things up and keep everything moving. At home, we shift straight into caregiving, hosting, travel, and trying to create meaningful moments for the people we love. On top of that, the holidays can stir up complex emotions. Grief, tenderness, longing, exhaustion, and gratitude can all exist at the same time. In this episode, I talk honestly about how stress shows up during the holiday season, how our bodies hold the weight of the year, and why pushing through is not always the answer. I also share a gentler way to relate to this season, especially if you are feeling unsure, tired, or emotionally layered. This is not about fixing anything. It is simply an invitation to slow down, notice what feels tender, and remember that you do not have to carry everything alone. Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    104 | The Quiet Weight of the Holiday Season
  7. 12/19/2025

    103 | The Power of One Simple Change

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Executive Exhale Podcast, I sit down with productivity coach and podcast host Mark Struczewski, also known as "Mister Productivity", to talk about overwhelm, focus, and sustainable performance. Instead of chasing hacks or trying to do more, we focus on simplicity, discipline, and small changes that actually stick. Mark shares why productivity is rarely the real problem, how micro breaks and intentional routines restore clarity, and why doing less can often lead to better results. This episode is a reminder that relief does not come from piling on new strategies. It comes from choosing one thing, keeping it simple, and giving yourself the space to breathe again. This conversation is for leaders who feel stretched thin and want practical ways to reduce overwhelm without adding more pressure. To connect with Mark - visit his website at www.misterproductivity.com Support the show Curious about working with me? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next! Want to find out where your energy is being drained. Get your Leadership Energy & Stress Resilience Score™ today. High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

    103 | The Power of One Simple Change

About

The Executive Exhale Podcast is your space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters as a leader. Hosted by executive wellness coach and HeartBreath™ guide Tammy, this podcast is designed for high-achieving professionals who are feeling the weight of stress, burnout, or misalignment in their careers and lives. Through candid conversations, expert insights, and powerful mindfulness practices, we explore what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and well-being. Whether you're navigating career transitions, seeking work-life balance, or simply looking for tools to manage stress more effectively, The Executive Exhale podcast offers real talk, deep insights, and actionable strategies to help you exhale, reset, and thrive.