"Business challenges don’t always come in the form of major crises. Sometimes they show up as the small, everyday obstacles that feel overwhelming."
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession reflects on the power of prayer in navigating the day-to-day challenges of running a business. She shares a personal story of overcoming financial and technological struggles that seemed impossible to resolve on her own. Rather than relying solely on her own strength, Rebecca reveals how she learned to lean into faith, asking for divine guidance in even the smallest decisions, from accounting software to client meetings.
Through her experiences, Rebecca discusses the concept of spiritual opposition and how it can feel like a sign that you're on the right path. She also highlights the importance of patience, trusting that God's timing and intervention will guide you to the right solutions. This episode offers practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to integrate faith into their work, reminding them that God is present in both the triumphs and the challenges. It's a beautiful call to surrender the stress of business ownership and trust that help is always there, whether in the form of people, clarity, or divine direction.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to the concept of meaningful work and profitable success
(00:43) Reflecting on the new year and setting intentions
(00:53) Experiencing unexpected divine support
(01:10) The power of prayer in everyday business decisions
(02:07) Overcoming spiritual opposition and challenges in business
(04:17) A series of unexpected setbacks and frustrations
(05:38) Finding the right support and guidance during tough times
(06:54) Embracing faith and patience over a stressful weekend
(08:18) Experiencing divine intervention in a pivotal moment
(11:24) How answered prayers and affirmation transforms rough situations
Connect with Rebecca:
“The spaces we work in shape our nervous systems, our relationships, and our ability to do meaningful work.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Kennedy Gallagher, Community and Marketing Manager at Carmel Gateway, to explore how physical space, nature, and intentional design can radically improve the human experience at work.
Kennedy shares how Carmel Gateway is reimagining the traditional office park into a true campus. One built around green space, nervous system regulation, community, and connection. From converting parking lots into lawns and amphitheaters to hosting coffee chats, speaker series, and unexpected moments of human connection, this conversation shows what becomes possible when we stop designing work around efficiency alone and start designing it around people.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:25) Why environment belongs in the conversation about work
(03:45) From office park to campus and what community changes
(06:30) Amenities that reduce stress and decision fatigue
(10:20) How nature supports regulation and presence
(15:40) Green space over parking lots and environmental impact
(20:10) Designing outdoor spaces that invite rest and connection
(25:30) Building community through shared experiences at work
(28:50) Helping young professionals find belonging
(32:20) What human centered workplaces make possible next
Connect with Kennedy:
Website: https://www.carmelgateway.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-gallagher/
Connect with Rebecca:
“What if your younger self is the reminder you need today?”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession invites listeners into a heartfelt practice of visiting earlier versions of themselves with compassion, gratitude, and curiosity. Sparked by meaningful moments during a reunion with former Franklin Covey colleagues and a powerful conversation with her son, Rebecca explores how our past selves hold wisdom we often overlook.
Through neuroscience, storytelling, and faith, she explains how reflecting with gratitude calms the nervous system, rewrites emotional memories, and opens us to what God is doing right now. Rebecca offers a simple guided practice and thoughtful reflection questions that fit easily into the holiday season or the start of a new year. This is a natural time when many of us feel more tender, reflective, and ready for renewal.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:45) Holiday reflections and memories
(02:28) Gratitude and personal growth
(03:45) Reflecting on past experiences
(07:32) The science and scripture of gratitude
(15:14) Guided reflection practice
(17:38) Reflection questions for the new year
Connect with Rebecca:
"Overwhelm often leads to inaction, as we freeze in the face of too many tasks and not enough time."
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession explores the pressure that many feel as the end of the year approaches. With deadlines looming and responsibilities piling up, it’s easy to spiral into a state of stress and uncertainty. Instead of powering through, Rebecca reveals how our nervous systems react to overwhelm and why taking a step back is crucial for both our productivity and well-being.
Through a blend of neuroscience, practical tips, and a compassionate approach to leadership, Rebecca shows how we can transform our approach to the end-of-year chaos. She dives into the power of intentional scheduling, explains how naming our stress can help us regain control, and emphasizes the importance of creating peace in our calendars. This episode is a call to reset, to find clarity in the clutter, and to lead with calm instead of chaos during the holiday season.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:01) Understanding the nervous system
(02:49) The power of time blocking
(05:55) Writing it down: he first step
(07:41) Allocating time realistically
(09:14) Creating a productive environment
(12:23) Honoring your time blocks
(12:49) Spiritual aspect of order
Connect with Rebecca:
“If you lose sight of the humans you’re serving, you’ll build something nobody wants.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with entrepreneur Bryan Clayton, whose journey from mowing lawns to building a national tech marketplace reveals what happens when you stay close to the humans you serve. Bryan grew a small lawn care operation into a 10-million sale, then built GreenPal, a platform now used by hundreds of thousands of homeowners and service providers.
Through stories of early mistakes, customer complaints that saved the business, and the surprising complexity of modern home services, Bryan shows why great companies are never built in the abstract. They are built by listening, responding, experimenting, and staying grounded in real human needs. Whether he’s answering the 800 number himself or rewriting product copy at midnight, Bryan embodies a philosophy that sits at the heart of this show. Business works when it works for people.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:43) Why real leaders stay close to customer service
(06:10) The surprising realities of shifting into tech entrepreneurship
(08:41) What it takes to change long held habits in traditional industries
(09:58) How staying near the customer keeps your business relevant
(16:16) Seeing feedback as the doorway to growth instead of threat
(20:48) When investor pressure competes with your own instincts
(23:08) Using customer insights to build AI that actually helps people
(28:49) Supporting small business owners on their path to possibility
(32:18) Designing products that start with real human needs
(33:58) Why marketplaces work only when both sides feel served
(35:58) Early lessons that reveal what your customers truly want
Connect with Bryan:
Website: https://www.yourgreenpal.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-clayton-a96b33214/
Connect with Rebecca:
“Relief seeking often turns into relief dumping, where we offload our stress onto someone else without even realizing it.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession calls out a year-end pattern that drains our nervous systems and strains our relationships at work. As the holidays approach and the pressure to “get everything wrapped up” intensifies, many leaders unintentionally pass their stress onto someone else. Rebecca breaks down why this happens, how our bodies interpret the season as a threat, and what it looks like to lead with humanity instead of urgency.
Through storytelling, science, and a grounded understanding of human behavior, she offers a compassionate yet firm reminder that most tasks can wait, our nervous systems need space, and our people deserve grace. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and choose rhythms that honor real human capacity during the busiest time of the year.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:43) The year-end hot potato problem
(01:59) The overstimulated brain
(05:01) Understanding displaced activation
(06:53) Grace and humanity during the holidays
(10:26) Practical tips for year-end planning
(15:40) Reflection questions for leaders
Connect with Rebecca:
“Pretty much every single day between now and January 2nd has an elevated emotion attached to it.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession digs into why the holidays can feel like so much more than twinkle lights and to-do lists. Through her snow globe metaphor and stories from her own life, she explains how our nervous systems get shaken up by memories, money stress, schedules, and family dynamics, and why that makes connection harder just when we need it most.
Rebecca blends neuroscience, scripture, and a very real family reunion story to show how temporal integration, sensory cues, and emotional memory shape our experience long before we walk into the room. Then she offers a different way in: daily stillness, breath, gratitude, and a conscious choice to bring love instead of fear into gatherings, so you become a calming, contagious presence rather than another spark in the chaos.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:43) Holiday season emotions and mixed expectations
(02:10) Understanding how your body responds emotionally
(03:41) Daily stillness routines to stay grounded
(05:28) How your brain predicts and scans for safety
(06:24) The power of sensory memories during holidays
(08:59) Choosing love over fear in family gatherings
(13:13) Personal family reunion story and mindset shift
(20:45) Practical tips for navigating family gatherings
(27:14) Reflections, questions, and next steps
Connect with Rebecca:
“Reflection is not optional. We’re designed for it, and it’s how our brains and souls find meaning.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession invites listeners into what she calls “reflection season.” It’s the natural rhythm each winter when our nervous systems slow down and we shift from doing to meaning-making. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership coaching, and spiritual wisdom, Rebecca explains why this stillness isn’t just rest. It’s a design for renewal, clarity, and change.
She guides leaders and business owners to prepare intentionally, offering practical ways to connect with teams before year’s end, nurture safety, and spark loyalty through meaningful conversations. Through storytelling and grounded reflection, Rebecca reminds us that great leadership is stewardship, and that reflection precedes revelation, both personally and professionally.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:27) Reflection season and its importance
(02:18) Preparing for reflection as a leader
(02:42) The neuroscience of reflection
(03:17) Monthly and weekly reflection practices
(04:50) Employee reflection and business impact
(09:32) Genuine appreciation and connection
(13:43) Leadership and personal reflection
Connect with Rebecca:
“Stories build trust faster than any strategy deck ever could.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares how she designed her signature event “Stand Tall in Your Story” to foster genuine human connection through neuroscience-backed storytelling.
She explores why traditional business gatherings often miss the mark and how emotional, story-centered experiences can transform relationships between colleagues, clients, and communities. Rebecca offers practical takeaways for leaders looking to make meetings, events, and company retreats more meaningful by trading PowerPoints for purpose and conversation for connection.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(02:41) The importance of celebration and connection
(04:48) Emotional and social bonding at events
(06:39) The power of storytelling
(08:40) Creating meaningful conversations
(15:27) Practical tips for hosting effective events
(26:49) Virtual event strategies
Connect with Rebecca:
“Presence is the new economy. It’s the differentiator for leadership, parenting, and everything that truly matters.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with speaker and author Tommy Short about the power of presence in leadership, family, and faith.
After a year without a phone, Tommy learned how silence, stillness, and meaningful connection can transform how we live and lead. He challenges the myth of productivity, discusses the toll of constant distraction, and uncover how true success starts with defining what truly matters.
Tommy shares the lessons behind his upcoming book The Call I Almost Missed, revealing how one radical act of disconnection became a spiritual and emotional awakening. From navigating parenting without screens to finding God in the quiet, this conversation invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reclaim their attention in a world that never stops buzzing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:55) The impact of phone usage
(08:22) A year without a phone
(14:54) The revelation and spiritual journey
(24:05) Reflecting on presence and small habits
(25:29) The journey of writing a book
(27:36) Defining success and taking action
(30:52) The power of presence and depth
(39:03) Anticipation and emotions of the book launch
Connect with Tommy:
Website: https://tommyshort.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyshort86/
Connect with Rebecca:
https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/
"There's a lesson in everything that we go through, whether it's good or bad, but the bad teaches us more than anything else."
In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Lori Hodges, a veteran first responder, emergency manager, and author of Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in the Darkness. Lori shares her incredible journey from a pivotal moment at a Grateful Dead concert to a 30-year career helping people navigate emergencies and disasters.
Lori’s perspective on leadership, trauma, and resilience is grounded in real-life experiences managing chaos and overcoming her own challenges. She and Rebecca discuss the importance of calm leadership, the transformative power of vulnerability, and how to find beauty in life’s most difficult moments.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:18) Career roots and the Grateful Dead concert
(04:00) Choosing a path in emergency services
(06:21) Writing the book ‘Shaking in the Forest’
(08:45) Lessons from emergency services: No running, no yelling
(10:17) Commanding presence and confidence
(14:26) Developing leadership skills
(18:20) Early mistakes and learning to stay calm
(20:34) Tools for slowing down and overcoming trauma
(27:13) Balancing productivity and self-care
(29:17) Finding beauty in chaos
(34:16) Building supportive leadership and team culture
(42:14) Chaos theory and future projects
Connect with Lori:
Website: https://lorihodges.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-hodges-ma-ccp-pmp-319b2a18
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingThroughChaos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticblue222
Connect with Rebecca:
“I looked around and thought, this is good. It is a beautiful day. I am healthy, I am happy. I am a child of God.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession reflects on the swirl of uncertainty in the world today, and why the answer isn’t in endless scrolling or chasing headlines but in anchoring ourselves in truth, joy, and God’s promises. Through personal stories and wisdom from three impactful books, she shows how our memory and imagination can either trap us in fear or unlock faith, contentment, and creativity.
Rebecca invites listeners to reframe how they see their lives, their work, and their emotions. From spotting joy in everyday moments to shifting from rehearsing failures to celebrating successes, this episode is both grounding and freeing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:23) Spiritual awakening and social media
(02:31) Navigating uncertainty with faith
(03:57) Context and clarity in business
(05:14) Embracing differences for unity
(07:36) Book Recommendation: Living Fearless
(09:41) Book Recommendation: Victorious Emotions
(16:21) Book Recommendation: Living from the Unseen
Connect with Rebecca:
“We don’t want to put all of our safety eggs in one basket called work.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession traces how workplace expectations ballooned from pay and safety to culture fit, values alignment, and even mental health, blurring identity and fueling burnout. She recounts the historical moments that nudged business into roles it was never designed to carry and explains why offloading our identity to work creates dependency and fear. Rebecca offers a reset: reclaim intrinsic motivation, diversify your sources of safety and belonging, and lead in ways that are deeply human without trying to be everything.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) How workplace expectations have changed
(03:32) Work’s influence on personal identity
(05:55) Consequences of relying too much on work
(08:21) Reclaiming our lives and identities
(11:47) Questions to ask yourself when expectations are too much
Connect with Rebecca:
“Develop your capacity to navigate the uncertainty, the unplanned, because the uncertainty and the unplanned is going to happen whether you like it or not.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession explores the pitfalls of overplanning and the illusion of control that keeps us in a constant state of stress. She shares her personal journey from being a chronic overplanner to embracing adaptability, and explains how our nervous systems, cultural expectations, and even our beliefs can keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety and exhaustion. Rebecca offers practical wisdom from neuroscience, business, and faith to help listeners build confidence in navigating uncertainty and reclaim joy in both work and life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:20) The problem with overplanning
(03:57) The neuroscience of overplanning
(05:51) Training yourself to handle uncertainty
(07:24) How overplanning impacts business and personal life
(09:06) A Biblical perspective on planning
(10:11) Preparing in a reasonable way
(11:56) Questions to ask when you’re planning
Connect with Rebecca:
“Fear might look like control, but it’s actually a counterfeit that limits creativity, burns people out, and keeps us small.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession exposes how fear shows up in today’s workplace and why it’s sabotaging both people and performance. Rebecca explains why the antidote to fear isn’t waiting for organizations to change, but cultivating self-respect. She shares five pillars of self-respect: identity, boundaries, alignment, humility, and abundance. These pillars show how each one counters the counterfeit beliefs that fear plants in our work and lives.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) The antidote for fear in the workplace
(03:24) The science behind fear and productivity
(06:36) Defining self-respect
(10:22) The five pillars of self-respect
(10:46) Identity and boundaries
(11:34) Alignment and humility
(12:34) Abundance and overcoming fear
(14:24) Real-life examples of self-respect
(17:02) Rooting out fear in the workplace
Connect with Rebecca:
“Beliefs run our lives. Every habit, reaction, and emotion is rooted in what we believe—and if those beliefs don’t change, our behaviors won’t either.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession unpacks why organizational change and personal growth so often fail: we focus on new processes or goals without addressing the beliefs driving current behavior. She shares stories from her coaching practice, including how frontline employees equated new technology with job loss, and why leaders must recognize these deeply held beliefs before expecting adoption. Rebecca also explores how personal beliefs about work, money, or even self-worth, shape our daily choices, and how shifting them can unlock new opportunities for joy, peace, and success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:45) How beliefs impact business success
(01:50) Common hurdles when driving change
(04:01) How to handle employee concerns
(07:14) Emotions and identity in workplace change
(11:48) Shifting personal beliefs and life direction
(14:56) Connecting beliefs with spiritual faith
Connect with Rebecca:
“Working harder might look like success, but it’s actually a counterfeit that drains our energy and disconnects us from what matters most.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession challenges the belief that more effort always equals better results. She explores how overactivation of our nervous systems, caused by lack of rest and the pressure to always do more, leads to missed connections, last-minute cancellations, poor preparation, and even strained relationships. Rebecca explains why the cultural script of equating worth with hard work is not only false, but damaging. She offers a science-backed alternative: rest, stillness, and capacity-building.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) The concept of counterfeit
(02:26) Consequences of overcommitment
(04:55) The science behind overactivation
(06:12) The belief system of hard work
(09:04) Why breaks and rest are important
(11:44) The illusion of inbox zero
(13:00) How taking breaks has rippling effects
(14:20) Boundaries in business matter
(18:58) Changing the counterfeit belief
Connect with Rebecca:
“Honor builds trust and safety, not through flattery, but through real recognition.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession introduces the Humanity Quadrant, a leadership tool that challenges traditional business mindsets. The model separates performance from personal worth, promoting honor over shame. Rebecca explains how business language often undermines humanity and how embracing honor, value, and worth can transform relationships and results. Rebecca talks about intrinsic motivation, its roots in neuroscience, and how leaders can foster a safe environment for their teams. Rebecca offers practical advice on affirming human value, not just performance, and avoiding burnout by recognizing when high achievers are pushed too far.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(01:04) The Humanity Quadrant
(04:55) Defining worth, value, and honor
(09:16) Exploring the Humanity Quadrant
(10:12) Handling mistakes with honor
(14:43) Celebrating success with honor
(21:46) The dangers of shame in the workplace
(26:27) The trap of constant striving
(31:52) Reflection questions
Connect with Rebecca:
"In a world where competition drives performance, what happens when it drives us apart?"
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession unpacks how competition—both external and internal—can wreak havoc on our nervous systems, causing stress, disconnection, and burnout at work. Through a fascinating breakdown of neuroscience, Rebecca explores how hyper-competitive environments create unhealthy dynamics and foster silos. She also provides insights into how leaders can create a safer, more collaborative work culture that prioritizes connection over competition.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) How competition impacts your nervous system
(01:39) Case study: American Eagle's culture
(03:17) Science behind competition and stress
(10:03) Creating a collaborative and safe work environment
(13:38) Things to ask yourself to create that space
Connect with Rebecca:
“The stress of uncertainty is often worse than making the tough call and moving forward.”
In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession shares the story of a coaching client whose promotion quickly turned into an intricate web of team challenges, tough decisions, and personal stress, transforming what should have been a celebration into a tangled mess.
Drawing from real coaching conversations and grounded in neuroscience and faith, Rebecca outlines how leaders can face uncertainty with clarity and compassion instead of fear and guilt. She offers practical and soulful guidance for any leader in a high-stakes situation. Because when the pressure builds, your nervous system feels it, and so do the people around you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(00:43) Client story: Career moves and promotion
(03:50) Facing indecision and making tough choices
(08:07) Letting go with honor and respect
(11:30) Managing stress and personal relationships
(15:12) 90-day sprint strategy for overwhelming tasks
Connect with Rebecca: