Are you carrying a backpack full of expectations you never signed up for? Discover how redefining success, embracing help, and letting go of perfectionism can transform your work, your family life, and your sense of self. Join me as I talk with Paige McPheely, CEO and Co-founder of Base, about the real stories behind ambition, burnout, and the power of permission.

Highlights

• Paige’s journey from startup founder and mom of three to redefining what leadership looks like
• The “backpack of expectations” and how to let go of what’s weighing you down
• Living and working in Spain: lessons from a different pace of life
• The myth of “doing it all” and why asking for help is a leadership superpower
• How to distinguish between healthy ambition and hustle addiction
• Outsourcing creatively—yes, even your handwriting!
• Practical strategies for deep work, blocking distractions, and creating rituals
• The “glass balls and plastic balls” analogy for balancing work and family
• Why giving yourself permission is the most radical act of self-care
• The power of morning pages and stream-of-consciousness writing

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

00:53 — Meet Paige McPheely: CEO and Co-founder of Base

01:22 — Paige's Journey to Productivity

02:05 — Rethinking Success and Expectations

02:58 — Living in Spain: A Different Pace of Life

03:54 — Balancing Leadership and Parenting

05:45 — The Lie of Doing It All

06:54 — Healthy Ambition vs. Hustle Addiction

10:51 — Outsourcing: Creative Solutions

10:51 — Managing Time as an Entrepreneur and Mother

13:17 — Deep Work and Blocking Distractions

15:02 — Juggling Parenthood and Professional Life

20:25 — Reprogramming Stress and Overwhelm

23:14 — The Importance of Giving Yourself Permission

24:50 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources Mentioned

• Base HQ — Find resources for hiring and working with executive assistants
• LinkedIn: Paige McPheely

Want to learn more?

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