Right There With You

Cass Cooper | The Chaos Whisperer
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture

Right There With You is a podcast for those of us navigating the intersections of work, life, and pressure in real time. Cass Cooper, The Chaos Whisperer™, breaks down what’s actually happening beneath burnout, misalignment, and leadership fatigue. Giving name, language, and permission to move differently. Each episode focuses on real tensions through expert conversations and real-world insight. We don’t just tell stories—we diagnose what’s not working and reframe how to lead through it. Here we know that: Soft skills are not soft. They are infrastructure.Burnout is a design flaw, not a character one.Clarity is how we stop surviving chaos and start leading through it. Join the Community:✨ Patreon: patreon.com/RightThereWithYou ✨ And Follow Cass: www.TikTok.com/just_cass2.0

  1. 3d ago

    Visibility Without Clarity Will Exhaust You

    What happens when building a business starts to feel more like performing success than actually building something? Cass sits down with Nomiki Petrolla, product leader, startup founder, and advocate for expanding access to entrepreneurship for women in tech. With more than 15 years of experience in product strategy, design, and startup development, Nomiki brings a candid perspective on what it really means to build publicly, build imperfectly, and figure things out in real time. We talk about the pressure to look polished and established before you've actually figured out what you're building, why women often second-guess expertise that comes naturally to them, and how visibility can build trust when it's rooted in honesty instead of performance. Nomiki also shares why she's committed to the long game, how she defines discipline, and why community matters when you're building something from the ground up. And we get into the bigger question underneath entrepreneurship: What kind of life are you actually building all of this for? In this episode, we explore:Why visibility without clarity can become exhaustingWhat women lose when they mistake confidence for certaintyWhy sharing the messy parts of building can create deeper trust than polished expertiseThe difference between commitment and discipline, and why both matter for the long gameHow building a business can become a pathway to creating the life you actually want At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to perform certainty to prove you're capable. You can be an expert and still be learning. You can build in public without making your entire life public. And you can pursue ambitious goals while staying connected to the life you're building them for. Sometimes the work isn't becoming more visible. It's becoming more honest about what you're building before everyone else gets to see it. About Nomiki PetrollaNomiki Petrolla is a product leader, startup founder, and advocate for expanding access to entrepreneurship for women in tech. She is the founder and CEO of Theana, a platform designed to help women tech founders move from idea to launch, with an emphasis on action, validation, community, and building confidence through the process. Hosted by Cass Cooper, The Chaos Whisperer™ Making Sense of Work, Life, and Pressure in Real Time. Connect with CassWebsite: iamcasscooper.com Instagram: @just_cass2.0 TikTok: @just_cass2.0 LinkedIn: Cass R. Cooper Work with CassFor leadership strategy, organizational clarity, and consulting support: knowbetterdobetter.co Right There With YouStop reacting. Start interpreting.

  2. Sep 8

    Success, AI, & the Power of Becoming Yourself

    You’re Allowed to Rewrite Your StoryWhat if the story you’ve been using to define success was never actually yours? In this conversation, Cass sits down with Miri Rodriguez, global executive, author, and thought leader in AI strategy, storytelling leadership, and ethical innovation, to unpack the narratives that shape how we work, lead, and define our lives. Miri shares how she learned to question the stories she inherited about success, ambition, and what it means to be a woman in the workforce. From growing up as the daughter of preachers and discovering the power of storytelling to navigating Microsoft as a woman who refused to stay in one professional lane, Miri makes the case for owning your narrative—and being willing to rewrite it when it no longer serves you. The conversation also turns to AI, gender equity, and the emerging portfolio economy. Rather than treating technology as the end of human value, Miri challenges us to consider how AI can amplify our uniquely human capacity to connect, create, contribute, and build something bigger than a traditional career path. In this episode, we explore:Why the stories we tell ourselves can become a hidden source of burnout—and how to recognize when you’re living inside an identity you’ve outgrownHow to define success for yourself instead of inheriting someone else’s version of what your life is supposed to look likeWhy owning your narrative is a form of power, particularly for women navigating systems that were never designed with them in mindWhat the rise of AI can teach us about the enduring value of human connection, creativity, and communityWhy the emerging “portfolio economy” may give women new ways to build careers, income, and lives around the full range of what they have to offerAt the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: you are the author of your story. You can question the narrative, challenge the rules you inherited, explore what else is possible, and become more of who you are. And sometimes, the most courageous thing you can do is wake up the part of yourself you've been taught to keep quiet. About Miri RodriguezMiri Rodriguez is a global executive, author, and thought leader focused on AI strategy, storytelling leadership, and ethical innovation. She is the founder and CEO of Empressa AI, a growth and skilling platform designed to help women build AI fluency, expand their opportunities, and participate more fully in the emerging portfolio economy. Her work sits at the intersection of technology and humanity, with a focus on using AI to amplify—not replace—the uniquely human qualities that help people connect, lead, and create change. Connect with CassHosted by Cass Cooper, The Chaos Whisperer™ Making Sense of Work, Life, and Pressure in Real Time. Website: iamcasscooper.com Instagram: @just_cass2.0 TikTok: @just_cass2.0 LinkedIn: Cass R. Cooper Work with CassFor leadership strategy, organizational clarity, and consulting support: knowbetterdobetter.co Right There With YouStop reacting. Start interpreting.

  3. Sep 1

    It Doesn't Make Cents: Measuring Value Beyond Money

    What If Your Value Isn’t Measured in Money?What happens when you spend years building a successful career, hit the markers you thought would make you feel accomplished—and then realize you don't actually want your life to be organized around the next title, promotion, or paycheck? In this episode of Right There With You, I'm joined by Jonathan Sims, a senior software engineer and founder of the Reciproc8 Project, a Brooklyn-based community-powered platform designed to connect people through the exchange of skills, knowledge, resources, and services without requiring money to be the center of every interaction. Jonathan shares what happened when a promotion at Goldman Sachs didn't materialize after months of intense work—and how that disappointment forced him to confront a bigger question: Who gets to determine your worth? What began as a career reckoning eventually became a different vision for community. We talk about what happens when we stop treating every relationship, skill, hobby, and interaction as something that has to be monetized. We explore the value of reciprocity, the hidden power of “soft skills,” and what it might look like to rebuild the village many of us have outsourced. In this episode, we explore:What happens when a career milestone you thought you wanted no longer feels like enoughWhy your worth cannot be reduced to your title, salary, or professional outputHow hobbies and everyday skills can become opportunities for meaningful reciprocityWhy community is infrastructure—not a luxuryWhat we might gain by asking “What can I give?” instead of only “What can I get?”Jonathan also shares how Reciproc8 evolved from an idea into a community-centered platform where people can offer and request everything from coding and cooking lessons to moving help, tax navigation, acupuncture, and other forms of knowledge and care. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but radical question: What remains when money isn't the only currency? Maybe it's connection.... Because your value has never been limited to what you can produce. And sometimes clarity begins when we stop asking, “How can I profit from this?” and start asking, “Who can I support?” About Jonathan SimsJonathan Sims is a software engineer and the founder and executive director of the Reciproc8 Project, a community-powered platform built around mutual exchange, skills, resources, and connection. After nearly seven years at Goldman Sachs, Jonathan began rethinking what success, community, and reciprocity could look like outside of a purely transactional economy. Find Reciproc8: www.recipri8project.com If this episode gave you language for something you've been carrying, share it with someone who needs the reminder that your value is bigger than your output. Hosted by Cass Cooper, The Chaos Whisperer™ Making Sense of Work, Life, and Pressure in Real Time. Connect with Cass Website: iamcasscooper.com Instagram: @just_cass2.0 TikTok: @just_cass2.0 LinkedIn: Cass R. Cooper Work with Cass For leadership strategy, organizational clarity, and consulting support: knowbetterdobetter.co Right There With You Stop reacting. Start interpreting.

  4. Aug 26

    You’re Not Powerless. You Just Need a Better Map.

    We spend a lot of time trying to fix ourselves when things aren't working: work harder, become more visible, communicate better, prove our value, be more strategic. But sometimes the problem isn't our individual performance. It's the system around us. In this episode of Right There With You, I'm joined by Cassie Clayton, a systems thinker and strategic leader whose career spans technology, analytics, research, and AI. We talk about what happens when you stop looking only at your individual experience and start asking better questions about the systems you're operating within. Cassie shares how curiosity helped her navigate complex organizations, build influence, and understand why certain problems keep happening. We also get into the pressure high performers face to keep executing, the relationship between performance and advancement, imposter syndrome, and why being exceptionally good at your current role can sometimes make it harder to move into what's next. In this episode, we explore:Why understanding the system can be more powerful than simply working harderHow curiosity can become a leadership and career superpowerWhy high performers can get stuck being valued for execution instead of strategic thinkingHow to stop internalizing systemic problems as personal failuresThe “ask why five times” approach to getting beneath the problemCassie also shares a practical way to start seeing systems differently: build a flow chart. Start with what you can see, then keep asking why until you understand what's actually driving the outcome. Because once you understand the system, you have more choices. You can work within it. You can change it. You can challenge it. You can leave it. But you don't have to mistake lack of understanding for lack of power. You’re not powerless. You just need a better map. About Cassie ClaytonCassie Clayton is a strategic leader and systems thinker with experience across technology, analytics, research, and AI. Her work focuses on understanding complex systems, asking better questions, and helping people and organizations navigate change with greater clarity.

  5. Aug 18

    Don’t Burn Yourself Out to Prove You’re Ambitious

    Ambition doesn't have to cost you your health, your family, or your humanity. Full Stop. You can have high standards. You can be deeply ambitious. You can want more. And you can still have boundaries. For too many high-performing people, exhaustion becomes evidence that they're doing enough. We say yes to everything, work longer, carry more, and quietly become the infrastructure holding everything together. But sustainable leadership isn't about lowering your ambition. It's about building success that doesn't require your constant depletion to maintain it. In this episode of Right There With You, I'm joined by Jennifer Roy, CEO of Nucleus Networks, an MSP based in Vancouver, Canada. Jennifer is an operations leader, entrepreneur, mother, and advocate for creating workplaces where people can do exceptional work without unnecessary barriers. We talk about what it looks like to lead with high expectations while still putting people first—and what Jennifer had to learn about boundaries, saying no, self-care, motherhood, and the pressure to prove herself in a predominantly male industry. Jennifer also opens up about something many accomplished leaders rarely say out loud: even after 15 years of leadership, she still experiences imposter syndrome. In this episode, we explore:Why sustainable leadership doesn't mean sacrificing ambitionHow Jennifer moved from “I'll outwork everyone” to understanding her limitsWhy saying “yes, but” can be more powerful than simply saying yesThe connection between gender, imposter syndrome, and overworkHow to create boundaries that protect the things you can't afford to sacrificeJennifer's approach to leadership offers an important reminder: being committed and running yourself into depletion are not the same thing. You can have high standards. You can be deeply ambitious. You can want more. And you can still have boundaries. About Jennifer RoyJennifer Roy is the CEO of Nucleus Networks, a managed service provider serving organizations across Canada. With 15 years of experience in the MSP space, Jennifer is an operations-focused leader passionate about solving problems through people, process, and innovation. She is also an advocate for increasing opportunities for women in technology and building workplaces where people can thrive. Keep the conversation going: If this episode gave you language for something you've been carrying, share it with someone who needs the reminder that ambition and sustainability can coexist. And if you're ready to stop reacting and start interpreting, join us inside the Right There With You community on Patreon.

  6. Aug 11

    Clarity Won’t Save You. But Taking Action Might

    What if clarity isn't what you're missing? What if you're waiting for something that can only come from taking action? In a world defined by AI transformation, layoffs, economic uncertainty, career shifts, and organizational disruption, waiting until you have the perfect plan can leave you standing still. But leadership doesn't require certainty. It requires the ability to assess what you know, make the best move available, learn from what happens next, and adapt. In this episode of Right There With You, I'm joined by Tia Hopkins, award-winning cybersecurity executive, strategic advisor, author, entrepreneur, and leader in technology and digital transformation. We talk about what it really means to lead when the map keeps changing—and why confidence is less about knowing what's next and more about trusting yourself to navigate it. Tia shares how her experiences in cybersecurity, executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and women's football have shaped her approach to uncertainty, adaptability, and resilience. We also get into what happens when a career transition forces you to ask a much harder question: Who am I when the role that helped define me is gone? In this episode, we explore:Why leadership has never actually been about certaintyThe difference between confidence and certaintyHow to make the “next best move” when you don't have the full pictureWhy leaders should want people around them who are smarter than they areThe importance of having an exit strategy—even when you love your jobWhy your intrinsic value isn't the same thing as your professional outputHow vulnerability creates trust and makes teams strongerWhat football can teach us about leadership, resilience, and the “short memory, next play” mentalityWhy adaptability can become a leadership superpowerHow career disruption can force you to redefine who you areWhy you shouldn't believe everything you thinkHow to create a personal baseline you can return to when life gets chaoticWhy your personal brand is more than colors, logos, and consistencyHow to test an idea through action instead of waiting for certaintyWhy feedback and pivoting are part of finding the right pathWhat AI is exposing about organizational readiness, processes, and ambiguityOne of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple: You won't know whether the next move is the right move until you make it. Sometimes the move isn't the answer. It's the information you needed to find the answer. And that's leadership in an uncertain world: move, learn, adapt, recalibrate, and keep going. About Tia HopkinsTia Hopkins is an award-winning cybersecurity executive, strategic advisor, author, entrepreneur, and technology leader. Her work sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital transformation, leadership, resilience, and emerging technology. She is also a leader in women's tackle football, bringing the lessons of the field into her work developing leaders on and off the field. This episode is for anyone who is standing at the edge of a career, leadership, or life transition and waiting to feel certain enough to move. You may not need more clarity. You may need to trust yourself enough to take the next step.

  7. Aug 4

    Stop Apologizing for Becoming Someone New: This Is Your Permission to Evolve

    Show NotesWhat if the thing holding you back isn't fear of failure—but the belief that you're not allowed to change? This week, I'm joined by mindset coach, entrepreneur, and host of the Side Hustle of Growth podcast, Christian James ("Your Girl CJ"), for a conversation about building a life that actually fits who you're becoming. We talk about why women are often taught to stay in one lane, how side hustles can become a pathway to freedom, and why evolving isn't something you need to apologize for. Along the way, we explore the difference between burnout and misalignment, grieving old versions of ourselves, navigating career pivots in midlife, and learning to trust that messy seasons often mean something new is taking shape. If you've been wondering whether it's too late to start over—or whether you're allowed to want something different—this episode is for you. In this episode:Why women have been conditioned to stay small—and how to break that patternThe surprising difference between burnout and misalignmentHow to know whether an idea is a distraction or your next chapterWhy side hustles can be about purpose, not just extra incomeLetting go without calling yourself a failureBuilding boundaries that protect your energyWhy it's never too late to reinvent yourselfThe importance of finding people who believe in your visionHow stopping the habit of apologizing can change the way you move through the worldOne of my favorite moments from this conversation comes near the end when CJ says: "Once we are showing up for ourselves, we automatically want to show up for others." That's the ripple effect we're all hoping to create. Connect with Christian ("Your Girl CJ")Follow CJ and listen to the Side Hustle of Growth podcast for more conversations about entrepreneurship, mindset, and creating freedom on your own terms. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to leave a rating and review, share it with someone who's in the middle of a pivot, and subscribe so you don't miss future conversations. No matter where you are in your journey, we're right there with you

  8. Jul 28

    I Didn't Get the Job: What Rejection Taught Me About Building A Life I Want

    This wasn't the episode I planned to record. I sat down ready to teach about work-life rhythm, burnout, and sustainable ambition. Then I got an email saying I didn't get the job I genuinely wanted. Instead of teaching the framework, I decided to live it out loud. In this deeply personal solo episode, I share what it felt like to make it to the final interview, hear "no," and realize I wasn't grieving the job—I was grieving the version of my life I thought I was supposed to have. Together, we unpack why work-life balance has always been an impossible standard, how burnout is often a design flaw rather than a character flaw, and why building a life around rhythm leaves room for ambition, grief, rest, and reinvention. If you're navigating a layoff, career transition, burnout, rejection, or simply questioning whether the life you've built still fits the person you're becoming, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we discuss:• Why work-life balance sets so many of us up to feel like we're failing • The difference between building a career and building a life • What rejection revealed about my own definition of success • Why rhythm matters more than perfection • The mindset shift that changed everything: "Don't figure it out. Make it work." • How to recognize when you're between rhythms instead of behind in life • The questions that can help you build a more sustainable future Memorable Quotes"I wasn't grieving the job. I was grieving the version of my life I thought I was supposed to have." "Burnout isn't usually a character flaw. It's a design flaw." "Rhythm isn't about controlling life perfectly. It's about staying connected to yourself while life keeps changing around you." "Maybe you're not behind. Maybe you're simply between rhythms." Resources & Links• Join the Right There With You Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/c/RightThereWithYou • Get the Burnout Bundle: https://www.knowbetterdobetter.co/course • Connect with Cass on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassrcooper/ • Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @just_cass2.o • Visit: iamcasscooper.com If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who's in a season of transition. And if you're enjoying Right There With You, leaving a rating and review helps more people find these conversations. Remember: stop reacting and start interpreting.

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About

Right There With You is a podcast for those of us navigating the intersections of work, life, and pressure in real time. Cass Cooper, The Chaos Whisperer™, breaks down what’s actually happening beneath burnout, misalignment, and leadership fatigue. Giving name, language, and permission to move differently. Each episode focuses on real tensions through expert conversations and real-world insight. We don’t just tell stories—we diagnose what’s not working and reframe how to lead through it. Here we know that: Soft skills are not soft. They are infrastructure.Burnout is a design flaw, not a character one.Clarity is how we stop surviving chaos and start leading through it. Join the Community:✨ Patreon: patreon.com/RightThereWithYou ✨ And Follow Cass: www.TikTok.com/just_cass2.0

Information

  • Creator
    Cass Cooper | The Chaos Whisperer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Cass Cooper | The Chaos Whisperer

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