"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:

• Why slowing down in high-stress situations leads to better outcomes
• How to build a culture where leaders and teams look out for one another
• The importance of finding lessons in both personal and professional challenges

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why chasing clarity in the news or on social media often leaves us more unsettled, and how to redirect your attention to what truly matters
• Ways to build habits of joy, like creating a “success journal” or using reflection questions to rewire your mindset
• How to use prayer and imagination as tools for faith, not fear

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• How decades of “scope creep” (from the 1900s to the 2020s’ COVID) turned work into an identity stand-in, and why that drives burnout
• Ways to rebuild from the inside out: intrinsic motivation, self-respect, and non-work sources of safety, belonging, and meaning
• Practical language and boundary shifts for leaders and teams (e.g. “great team” vs. “family”)

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why overplanning drains your energy and limits your creativity
• How to train your brain and nervous system to handle uncertainty in real time
• Practical questions and mindset shifts to help you trust yourself (and the process) more, while letting go of the need for total control

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why fear-based leadership looks powerful but actually undermines productivity and creativity
• How self-respect stabilizes your nervous system and unlocks innovation, clarity, and collaboration
• The five pillars of self-respect and how they counter fear in practical, everyday ways

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why lasting change requires shifting beliefs, not just implementing new strategies
• How emotions, identity, and past experiences reinforce the patterns we follow
• Practical ways to examine your own beliefs and reframe them for growth and alignment

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why working harder is a counterfeit and how it undermines both performance and relationships
• How overactivation of the nervous system impacts your ability to connect and commit
• Practical ways to replace overwork with rest, stillness, and intentional connection

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• How to distinguish between honor and shame in leadership
• Why worth isn’t tied to performance and how to affirm this for yourself and others
• The impact of separating identity from results to encourage creativity and collaboration

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"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:

• The impact of competition on team culture and nervous system safety
• Why connection is the true key to performance and innovation
• Practical strategies to shift from a competitive to a collaborative mindset in your workplace

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“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:

• Why indecision is more damaging than making the wrong call
• Why your nervous system needs boundaries, routines, and rest, especially under pressure
• How to design a 90-day sprint that creates momentum without sacrificing your well-being

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:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/