When We Pause

Charles Achampong
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to When We Pause, hosted by Charles Achampong. Charles is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and leadership strategist who helps high-performing leaders respond with intention rather than react on autopilot. This show is an invitation to pause in a world that rewards speed. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leaders and change-makers who’ve learned that clarity does not come from doing more, but from pausing with intention before the next decision. It’s about choosing clarity before action. It’s a different way of leading, living, and making decisions. This is When We Pause

  1. 4d ago

    16 | Sandra Odendahl - When Losing Your Job Becomes the Best Career Gift

    What if the job you lost was the pause you never gave yourself permission to take? Charles sits down with Sandra Odendahl, his former boss from Scotiabank and a sustainable finance leader with more than twenty-five years in the field, who left a senior executive role and called it the worst sabbatical ever. They get into the strange relief of having a role eliminated, the difference between an architect and a caretaker, and how a structured pause can quietly redirect an entire career. If you have ever confused motion with progress, or feared that slowing down means falling behind, this one is your permission slip. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights[04:15] - The coaching advice that changed how Sandra told the world she had left[05:43] - The worst sabbatical ever post that pulled people back into her orbit[07:15] - Her husband's one-line verdict that named the whole season[10:12] - When the work stops being fun: the ambition that quietly shrank[11:04] - Told her role was eliminated, and feeling relief instead of panic[13:28] - Architect or caretaker? The self-knowledge that shapes a whole career[15:34] - Did I do something bad? The self-doubt that hits in the first few minutes[28:30] - The two-hour coffee that reframed a layoff as a gift[43:41] - Stretchy pants days and blouse days: structuring a pause so it never feels aimless[47:59] - The pause that created a career step change staying put never would have[51:38] - Second half of a career: why title and paycheck stopped mattering Resources MentionedBusiness Development Bank of Canada (BDC)RBCScotiabankEYMitacsQueen's UniversityEndeavour Volunteer Consulting for Non-ProfitsCanadian ClubCatalyst About the GuestSandra Odendahl is a pioneer in sustainable finance with more than twenty-five years of experience across environmental science and the finance sector. Most recently she was Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainability, Diversity and Social Impact at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), after leading enterprise-wide sustainability and social finance programs at Scotiabank and RBC. She also served as President and CEO of a Calgary-based carbon capture technology company, and began her career as an environmental scientist and engineer in the natural resources sector. She holds a Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, is a CFA charter holder, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards. She recently stepped away from BDC and is advising a clean-economy investment fund. 🔗 LinkedIn Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles' book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  2. Sep 30

    15 | William Arruda - How to Stop Conforming and Start Standing Out

    When was the last time a single pause changed the entire direction of your life? Charles sits down with William Arruda, the pioneer who turned personal branding into a global industry, for a conversation about the small moment that redirected everything. William shares how one magazine article, read during an unplanned pause, sparked the first personal branding company. They get into why we still hesitate to bet on ourselves, why conformity quietly costs us, and how walking away from a title feels nothing like the highlight reel. If you have ever sensed a change but talked yourself out of acting, this one is for you. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights● [02:24] The provocative line he drops on strangers who ask what he does ● [03:25] Why so much of what passes for personal branding today is really anti-branding ● [04:19] The magazine sitting on an assistant's desk that rewrote his whole future ● [06:45] Sliding Doors, subway trains, and the randomness that quietly builds a career ● [08:11] The gold watch at IBM he could have retired with, and why he walked ● [10:58] A question from 1997 we still cannot answer: why won't we bet on ourselves? ● [11:59] The conformity trap, and why fitting in is holding you back ● [14:15] Personal branding without this one thing is just egotism ● [19:30] The unglamorous, quietly brutal side of walking away that no highlight reel shows ● [26:19] The biggest thing even smart, self-aware professionals get wrong about branding ● [30:19] The IBM layoff, 14 names, and the pause behind how his company really began Resources Mentioned"The Brand Called You" by Tom Peters, Fast Company (1997)Sliding Doors (film)Association for Talent Development (ATD) International ConferenceIBMFinancial TimesRichard Branson / VirginFrance Amérique About the GuestWilliam Arruda is a personal branding pioneer and the founder and president of Reach Personal Branding, the first and leading company in the field, which he launched in 2001. Credited with turning personal branding into a global industry, he is a bestselling author of Digital YOU, Ditch. Dare. Do!, and Career Distinction, a senior contributor to Forbes, co-founder of CareerBlast.TV, and the creator of the 360Reach personal brand survey used by nearly two million professionals. He has delivered hundreds of keynotes across dozens of countries. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles' book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  3. Sep 23

    14 | Britt Andreatta – How Brainspotting Ended Years of Panic Attacks

    What if the reactions you can’t explain are your past quietly running the show? In this episode, Charles Achampong sits down with international recognized thought leaderand best-selling author Dr. Britt Andreatta, who spent years believing she had a happy childhood until panic attacks in her thirties told a different story. Britt opens up about healing deep trauma, the amygdala hijack that quietly drives our reactions, and the two sessions that ended her panic for good. She and Charles explore why survivors often read a room better than anyone, how bias gets built into the systems we live in, and why she walked away from a dream title to bet on herself. If you have ever felt your reaction was bigger than the moment, or heard the gremlin whisper who do you think you are, this conversation is your permission to rewrite the story. Listen now. Timestamped Highlights[02:30] The TEDx title that stopped Charles in his tracks [03:16] The one skill Britt says could solve most of the world's problems [05:10] The childhood she spent decades convincing herself was fine [05:25] When panic attacks hit out of nowhere and shrank her whole world [07:13] The two sessions that ended her panic for good [07:31] The book that explains why your past keeps showing up [10:05] The moment a stuck executive session cracked wide open [13:16] The law that quietly builds bias into the tech we use every day [15:42] Why the people who survived the hardest rooms read them best [21:09] The dream promotion that kept her up at night in a panic [28:40] She gave notice on Friday, then Microsoft bought LinkedIn on Monday [37:21] The two gremlins we are all raised to obey [40:18] The kind of trip that rewires your brain for new ideas Resources MentionedDr. Britt Andreatta’s TEDx talkThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (book)EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)BrainspottingCognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)Conway’s LawBrené Brown’s TED Talks on courage and vulnerabilityLynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning)University of California, Santa BarbaraAntioch UniversityAssociation for Talent Development (ATD) ConferenceWired To Series: Books on the brain science of success About the GuestDr. Britt Andreatta is an international thought leader who uses her background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and education to create science-based solutions for today’s workplace challenges.She is the CEO of Brain Aware Training and the former Chief Learning Officer for Lynda.com, now LinkedIn Learning. She has over 10 million views worldwide of her online courses and is the author of several best-selling books on the brain science of success including Wired to Grow, Wired to Resist, Wired to Connect, and Wired to Become. In 2024, she was awarded the ATD Thought Leader Award. Her work helps people and organizations understand how human biology shapes the way we learn, work, and grow. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles' book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  4. Apr 29

    13 | The Power of Pausing Explained

    What if the clarity you’re seeking isn’t found by running faster, but by learning how to really pause? Join Charles Achampong, the gentle but direct voice behind "When We Pause," as he closes the season with intimate life lessons that invite leaders to break free from high-speed autopilot. Zero guesswork, just grounded insights on three quiet game-changers, reclaiming imagination, building “failure immunity,” and the underestimated superpower of mindful pausing. This solo episode rises out of lived experience, not theory, challenging us to rewrite tired scripts about speed, risk, and recovery so you can finally feel aligned again. Listen now because real transformation starts with one brave pause. Every minute you spend stuck in the old loop is a minute stolen from the leader and life you could have. This is wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else and the season finale you can’t afford to skip. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – What if you didn’t need a passport—or a sabbatical—to experience a life-changing pause? [02:24] – The compliment that Charles Achampong wasn’t ready for and how it shifted everything [04:51] – The everyday superpower you’ve secretly lost (and how to reclaim it, courtesy of a child’s truth bomb) [08:42] – Kids imagine possibility, adults imagine consequences—why? [12:41] – The one question that can ignite everything you thought was impossible [15:06] – Why Gmail is secretly your best teacher about the micro-pause we all need [19:28] – When pausing is painful: facing failure, confronting “that loop” and how to escape it [26:40] – Borrow this mindset from a child to unlock your next bold move Resources MentionedApple Podcasts (education category rankings)“Failure Immunity” conceptAround the World Trip (family sabbatical) Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  5. Apr 22

    12 | Naki Osutei – How to Thrive and Energize Your Career

    Have you ever wondered what happens when you finally hit pause... and life refuses to go back to “normal”? In this luminous, no-filter conversation, Charles Achampong welcomes transformational leader Naki Osutei for a rare behind-the-scenes exploration into powerful reinvention, the hidden cost of relentless achievement, and the deep lessons you only learn by letting go. They unpack surprising truths about burnout, the messy grace of transition, and why habits and the courage to pause shape your future far more than title or performance. If you’re craving clarity, longing for a more intentional life, or wrestling with losing your identity in the pursuit of ambition, pause with us. Don’t risk wasting months on autopilot. This episode brings both soulful stories and practical tools you simply won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in now and reclaim the wisdom in your own pause. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – When was the last time you let yourself start over on purpose?[01:02] – The art of reinvention: surviving (and thriving) through all the pivots[04:21] – The “accidental” leadership moment at sixteen that changed everything[10:13] – The voice you need when Imposter Syndrome shouts the loudest[18:01] – The lifequake year: cancer, pandemic, and burning the playbook[23:01] – Burnout’s hidden warning signs and a prescription you can’t ignore[27:23] – How “practice-based culture” unexpectedly transforms teams and lives[35:10] – Letting go of status: why identity loss just might become your freedom[44:28] – One question to ask when you feel restless or off-mission Resources MentionedDiverseCity FellowsCivicActionTD BankCIBCDon Staley – Uncommon Favor (book)Richard FloridaJulia Cameron – The Artist's Way (book)Capacity Canada About the GuestNaki Osutei is the Founder and Principal of PRESIQ, a trailblazing leadership and talent development consultancy redefining how organizations and individuals practice intentional change. Known for her cross-sector expertise, spanning non-profit, public, and private leadership and as a champion for burnout prevention and authentic work cultures, she brings 20+ years of wisdom to every client. Her journey from early community leader to banking executive, cancer survivor, and entrepreneur offers a grounded, human, and hope-filled model for anyone seeking real-life transformation. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  6. Apr 15

    11 | Monique Giroux – Surprising Joys, Powerful Pauses, and the Art of Slowing Down

    Ever felt trapped by success, so busy you can’t breathe, but scared to slow down in case everything falls apart? In this rich and vulnerable episode, Charles Achampong welcomes transformation coach and meditation leader Monique Giroux for an eye-opening exploration of the sacred pause, life-changing retreats, and what slowing down really unlocks. Together, they reveal unconventional secrets for finding joy, overcoming high-functioning anxiety, and alchemizing ambition into true clarity. Monique shares exclusive lessons from her global travels, deep Buddhist practice, and radical career pivots, and why trusting yourself is both rare and revolutionary. If you’re craving less overwhelm and more meaning, you can’t afford to wait. This episode is your urgent invitation to step off autopilot now for exclusive, hard-won wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else. Hit play and reclaim time, self-trust, and joy. Timestamped Highlights[04:41] – How feeling lost and grieving led to unexpected healing and yoga [07:59] – The Bali retreat epiphany: pain, anxiety, and the first full breath [12:04] – “We spend our whole lives running—practice stopping.” The inside story [15:13] – Slow travel vs. speed tourism: revolutionary secrets for true presence [18:03] – Hungry ghosts, hidden drives, and the surprising roots of overachievement [24:04] – Navigating the ‘messy middle’—trusting change before you see the map [26:08] – The Happy List: a proven joy-hacking framework to reset your energy Resources MentionedLaurentian UniversitPlum Village Sangha (Thich Nhat Hanh)Rainbow Roots Trail SystemCIBCThe Book of Joy – Dalai Lama & Desmond TutuLoving Kindness MeditationVipassana Silent RetreatYoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, ReikiLost Intentionally by Monique GirouxThe Way Out Is In (podcast) About the GuestMonique Giroux is a transformation coach, meditation leader, and university lecturer at Laurentian University, known for guiding high-achievers from anxiety to intentional living. With nearly 20 years of executive experience in financial services and deep roots in Buddhist meditation and forest therapy, Monique fuses practical wisdom with soulful leadership. Her work helps professionals realign life with purpose, heal through pause, and sustain joy in high-performance careers. 🔗 LinkedIn | Linktree Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. The Purpose-Driven Pause Mentor is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  7. Apr 8

    10 | Stacey Serby – The Messy Magic of Running Toward Real Life

    Do you ever wonder if a bold life pivot could save you from burnout, or whether uprooting from comfort is the only way to finally breathe? In this soul-baring and wildly practical conversation, Charles Achampong welcomes teacher-turned-healer Stacey, who swapped Canadian grind for Cayman clarity. Together they unpack the messy, magical truth behind trading performance for purpose, spiritual detours, entrepreneurial rollercoasters, and the reality of living intentionally when “paradise” looks nothing like Instagram. What does it really take to heal when comfort gets stripped away? If you’re wrestling with too much motion, career fatigue, or the urge for change, listen now. Missing this episode lets burnout, regret, and autopilot win. Tune in for actionable wisdom, hard-won spiritual insight, and the kind of loving realism you simply won’t find anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – “Who is the real Stacey?” The truth that never fits the bio [01:44] – The proven breathwork practice that unlocks spirit and stillness [04:56] – How measuring fulfillment breaks every old rule of success [08:24] – The game-changing moment her wife said, “Let’s move to an island” [15:51] – Shocking first year: Isolation, starting over, and betting on community [18:32] – The “Cayman Kind” secret that sets this paradise apart [22:58] – The real challenges of island life, from invisible traffic to spiritual patience [34:25] – Reclaiming creativity, singing, and what’s next (after surviving two pivots) Resources MentionedSask Express (musical group)Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsJerk chicken and Jamaican-inspired cuisine"Cayman Kind" cultural movement About the GuestStacey Serby is a highly intuitive wellness practitioner and entrepreneur based in Grand Cayman, known for transforming burnout and anxiety into purpose-driven healing for high-achieving professionals and seekers. A former elementary teacher from Saskatchewan, she now leads Island Breather, specializing in meditation, yoga, breathwork, and holistic modalities for mind-body wellness. Her mission: empowering others to slow down, reconnect, and trust in the messy beauty of continuous reinvention. 🔗 Website | Instagram | Facebook Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  8. Apr 1

    09 | Why You Don't Need More Clarity

    Are you searching for clarity, yet still feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or endlessly busy in your quest for meaning? In this introspective solo episode, bestselling author and pause mentor Charles Achampong dives deep into the myth of needing more clarity, delivering vulnerable stories, rare wisdom, and proven strategies to break free from the comforts of “maybe.” Through powerful pauses and raw honesty, he reveals why the answers you seek are already within you, and why the real work is having the courage to act, not endlessly research. Listen now to avoid the pain of burnout, indecision, and drifting without purpose. This episode brings urgent, exclusive insight you won’t find anywhere else: pause, reflect, and reclaim direction before another day slips away. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – A harsh truth: Why feeling stuck isn’t about lacking answers [00:48] – The secret stall tactic: Research, podcasts, and busywork that keep you trapped [01:46] – How a quiet inner knowing exposed a consulting mistake and what really matters [03:13] – Will “future doors” change your feelings? Charles gets brutally honest [04:34] – Why subtraction is revolutionary: The myth of adding more, and how to do less with intention [05:53] – The loudest lie: Why you already know what to do—here’s how to listen for your truth [07:47] – “Damn, that was good.” The ego, the feedback, and a speaker’s blueprint for clear direction [09:01] – The power of pausing: How to escape the noise and hear your next step [10:21] – The final shift: Stop thinking, start choosing, and why courage means acting on what you know Resources MentionedCapacity CanadaUniversity of OttawaPause → Notice → Reset → Repeat (signature framework) Important LinksConnect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramPress Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event. When We Pause is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to When We Pause, hosted by Charles Achampong. Charles is a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and leadership strategist who helps high-performing leaders respond with intention rather than react on autopilot. This show is an invitation to pause in a world that rewards speed. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leaders and change-makers who’ve learned that clarity does not come from doing more, but from pausing with intention before the next decision. It’s about choosing clarity before action. It’s a different way of leading, living, and making decisions. This is When We Pause

Information

  • Creator
    Charles Achampong
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Charles Achampong Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    When We Pause