You’re ready to promote a strong performer into leadership—but how do you know if they’re really prepared to lead their peers?

In this episode, I share an unusual interview technique that goes beyond resumes and past performance to reveal how each candidate will actually show up as a leader in front of their former coworkers. You’ll hear how one manager used this exact process to choose the right supervisor for a struggling team and why skipping this step can lead to resistance, resentment, and months of unnecessary drama at work.

You’ll also walk away with a simple three-step structure you can use to promote from within with confidence, prepare new leaders to guide their teams through change, and build trust from day one. 

So if you’ve ever worried about promoting the wrong person, or wondered how to know if a candidate is truly ready to lead, hit play and let’s dive in.

0:00 – The Hidden Risk of Promoting a Peer Into Leadership 

0:45 – How to Spot the #1 Mistake Leaders Make When Promoting from Within

1:30 – The Simple Interview Technique That Reveals Who’s Truly Ready to Lead A Team Through Change

5:10 – A 3-Step Process to Evaluate Internal Candidates Fairly (and Win Team Buy-In)

7:30 – How to Save Months of Time, Build Trust, and Set Your New Leader Up for Success

For step-by-step instructions:

• Grab your FREE Peer to Leader Interview Guide

Other Episodes You'll Love:

• The Unexpected Cure for Burnout (You Can Do in 10 Seconds)
• Breakdown to Breakthrough: Reclaiming Yourself in Leadership

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

You get praised for your work. You show up for your team. You go the extra mile.

So why does it still feel like… it’s never enough?

That’s the question "Pamela," a high-performing senior leader, brought to our coaching session. Her team was thriving, her project had just earned company-wide praise… and yet she felt deflated. Doubtful. Disconnected from any real sense of accomplishment.

If you’ve ever found yourself downplaying your success, brushing off compliments, or pushing harder when your body’s begging you to rest—this episode is for you.

In this trauma-informed coaching moment, Dr. Annie Campanile shares the simple, science-backed practice she used to help Pamela quiet her inner critic, reconnect with her body, and finally believe: I am doing enough.

Hit play and experience the shift for yourself.

⏱️ What You’ll Hear:

1:45 — Why high-achieving leaders feel like they’re never doing enough

3:00 — A nervous system grounding practice you can try in real time

4:45 — The mindset shift that quiets self-doubt without forcing positivity

10:15 — How this one shift changes how you lead, relate, and restore energy

💬 Want support applying this shift in your leadership?

Explore 1:1 trauma-informed leadership coaching with Dr. Annie → anniecampanile.com

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Trying to support your team without burning out? You might be missing one key trauma-informed leadership skill.

You care about your people. You want them to feel safe coming to you with their concerns. But every time someone shares their stress, anger, or worry with you, you walk away feeling drained — and take their stress home with you.

It feels like you have to choose: Be a compassionate leader OR Protect your energy.

That’s exactly the dilemma "Stephanie," a dedicated healthcare leader, faced. She was exhausted from managing constant drama at work. She was emotionally fried and on the verge of quitting leadership altogether.

In this episode, I share the powerful “Be a Bowl, Not a Sponge” exercise — a simple, trauma-informed leadership tool I’ve used for more than 20 years. It’s helped hundreds of leaders (including me!) stay grounded, centered, and present, even in the middle of emotional storms.

If you want to lead with emotional intelligence and support your team without absorbing their stress, this episode will show you how.

🎧 Hit PLAY and let’s get started.

You’ll learn:

• Why your mind might be tricking you into thinking your team’s stress is your own
• A creative visualization technique that helps you protect your energy in real time
• How to lead with compassion without taking responsibility for everyone else’s emotions
• Why emotional intelligence in leadership hinges on knowing what to hold — and what to release

💼 Want more help building a drama-free team that gets along—and gets results?
Apply for on-air leadership coaching here (spots are limited).

0:56 – The Empathy Trap: Why Leaders Take On Emotions That Aren’t Theirs

2:15 – Mirror Neurons, The surprising reason your body reacts so strongly when others are upset—and what to do about it.

5:10 – Real-Life Burnout: A Leader on the Verge of Quitting

7:00 – Be a Bowl, Not a Sponge: The Tool That Changes Everything
A simple exercise to help you stay clear, calm, and present during emotional conversations.

10:45 – How staying grounded helps your team feel safer—and keeps you from burning out.

🧘‍♀️ ACTIVITY FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Imagine a bowl you love.

2. Make it big.

3. Let their words & emotions pour into the bowl.

4. Empty the bowl.

5. Let go with intention.

💡 ANOTHER EPISODE YOU'LL LOVE:

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Are you constantly absorbing your team’s stress, replaying difficult conversations in your head, or holding back in meetings just to keep the peace? If this sounds like you, you might be carrying the invisible weight of drama at work, and this podcast is for you.

Hi, I’m Dr. Annie Campanile, trauma-informed executive coach and former healthcare director. On Drama Free Teams, we go deeper than communication tips. We unpack the invisible dynamics that create drama at work and give you psychology-backed tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and connection (even during conflict).

Because leadership doesn't have to mean absorbing everyone’s stress, second-guessing every word, or sacrificing your work-life balance just to keep your team and your boss happy.

Each month, you’ll learn how to:

• Navigate difficult conversations with confidence
• Set healthy boundaries at work without guilt
• Build executive presence without having to “toughen up”
• Lead with compassionate and authentic leadership (not power plays)
• And stop choosing between being liked and being respected

Subscribe to Drama Free Teams on your favorite podcast platform. If you're ready to become a great leader, known for clear, confident, and compassionate leadership, click FOLLOW and let’s get you and your team thriving.

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

You may have noticed the podcast has a new name. But why?

After three months of publishing weekly episodes, I received something unexpected—messages from leaders saying they loved the show, but didn’t feel comfortable sharing it because the word trauma in the title felt too intense for the workplace.

Even though, as a trauma-informed leadership coach, I stand by the importance of trauma-informed tools in leadership, I also believe this podcast should feel like a safe space for anyone who wants less conflict, clearer communication, and more collaboration on their team. 

That’s why I’m changing the name of the show to Drama Free Teams.

This quick bonus episode explains the shift and how this new name reflects what you’ve told me you want most on your team:

➡️ Less gossip

➡️ Fewer interpersonal meltdowns

➡️ And zero energy wasted second-guessing yourself after every difficult conversation

If you care deeply about your people and you’re tired of absorbing their stress or avoiding conflict just to keep the peace, this podcast is for you.

🎧 Hit play to hear what’s changing, what’s not, and where we’re headed next.

✨ Want to create a drama-free team—starting with how you give feedback?

Start with the Empowered Feedback Toolkit, and learn how to speak with clarity and care (even in high-stakes moments).

🔗 Other episodes you’ll love:

• Ep 21 — What No One Tells You About Healthy Boundaries at Work

• Ep 20 — How to Shut Down Gossip without Breaking Trust

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Do you ever try so hard to get it right - only to feel like it’s never enough?

Do you look outside yourself for answers, believing that others know better than you - even though you’re smart and capable?

In this deeply personal episode of Heal Your Trauma, Find Your Voice, trauma-informed executive coach Dr. Annie Campanile shares the story of an emotional breakdown that became a professional breakthrough. 

What started as a moment of overwhelm while folding laundry became a wake-up call to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with her true self.

You’ll learn:

• The unexpected metaphor that helped Dr. Annie reconnect with herself (hint: it involves slime!)
• Why self-doubt and burnout might be signs you’re ignoring your own wisdom
• How over-consumption of advice and strategy can slow your progress
• A behind-the-scenes decision to slow down production of this podcast
• A loving reminder that real leadership starts with how you care for you

Whether you lead a team or simply lead yourself, this episode will speak to your heart if you’ve been striving, pushing yourself, and feeling like something's got to give.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend — or leave a review to let Dr. Annie know how it landed.

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

You told yourself you’d stop checking email after dinner…But somehow, it’s 11pm again, and your laptop is still open.

If you’re a high-achieving leader who wants to set healthy boundaries at work, but you keep getting pulled back in out of fear you’ll drop the ball, this episode is for you.

We’re talking about what’s really behind the late-night work cycle, and why most leadership advice about work/life balance completely misses the mark.

You’ll hear the story of an executive coaching client who went from anxiety and overworking to clear, confident boundaries, and how a simple body-based practice helped her rebuild self-trust without rigid rules.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why discipline isn’t your problem—and what is
• The deeper reason high performers break their own boundaries
• What healthy boundaries actually look like when you’re responsible for results
• How to reset your nervous system with the Sunshine Exercise
• A simple self-reflectio
• n question to guide your next boundary decision

This isn’t about doing less.
It’s about leading from self-trust and self-connection—not fear or survival mode.

Other episodes & topics mentioned:

Can't Relax after Work? Let's Fix That!

Rigid Boundaries at Work

Open Boundaries at Work

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

You’re spending more time mediating team drama than leading your team—and it’s exhausting. One person is constantly checking up on their coworkers, calling out unfinished tasks, and stressing over work that’s not even theirs. Meanwhile, the rest of your team is walking on eggshells to avoid the next emotional outburst.

If you’ve ever had a team member who means well but ends up creating tension, today’s episode is for you.

I’m diving into what’s really behind this behavior (hint: it’s not just about control), and I’ll walk you through a real-life example of how one of my clients used a simple, 3-step strategy called the Connection Bridge to reset expectations and calm the chaos—without shaming anyone or triggering more drama.

You’ll learn:

• What “open boundaries” look like in the workplace
• Why well-meaning employees sometimes take on too much
• How to set clear, kind boundaries that protect your team’s culture
• What to say exactly when someone’s behavior is crossing the line

If you’re tired of team members policing each other and just want everyone to do their job without the drama, this episode will show you how to lead with both strength and sensitivity.

🎧 Press play to learn how to shift your team dynamic and lead with clarity (and peace).

✨ Resources mentioned:

• Free Empowerment Guide
• DM me on Instagram @dranniecampanile if you'd like to be coached live on the show!
• Listen to episode 7 for more on Velcro Trust
• Listen to episode 19 for more on The Connection Bridge

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Have you ever had a team member suddenly go silent... stop replying to your messages... or even quit without warning?

In high-performing teams, breakdowns in communication can happen fast—and when they do, it’s tempting to either ignore it or push for answers. But what if the silence isn’t defiance... but a sign of Cactus Trust—a trauma-informed response that shuts others out to feel safe?

In this episode, I’m kicking off a powerful 3-part series on boundaries in professional relationships, starting with rigid boundaries—the kind that block progress, stall collaboration, and leave leaders stuck.

You’ll hear a real coaching story about a senior leader navigating a silent, withdrawn team member—and how a simple 3-step tool called the Connection Bridge helped re-open communication without overstepping.

💡 After Listening You'll Learn:

• Why some team members shut down in response to feedback or tension
• A 3-step process to re-open communication gently and clearly
• How to lead with compassion and structure, even when a team member won’t talk
  
  

🛠️ Try This Week’s Practice:

Use The Connection Bridge with a team member who's pulled away:

1. Name what you’re seeing
   
   
2. Offer one structural adjustment
   
   
3. Ask one yes/no question to reopen the door
   
   

🔗 Links + Resources Mentioned:

• Listen to Episode 8 on Cactus Trust
• Listen to Episode 17 When a Doctor built healthier boundaries

✨ Next Week’s Topic:
We’ll unpack loose boundaries—when team members overshare, say yes to everything, or blur the lines. I’ll show you how to stay grounded and set kind, clear expectations.

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD

Ever wonder, "How much longer can I keep giving like this before I burn out?"

If you're a high-achieving leader in healthcare or another high-pressure space, this episode is your breath of fresh air.

This week on the show, trauma-informed executive coach Dr. Annie Campanile shares a surprising, fun story about a silent moment of human connection—and how it unlocked a healing practice she now teaches to leaders across the country.

🌞 You’ll discover:

• Why high performers often feel the most disconnected (and what to do about it)
• A 3-step practice you can do in under 10 seconds to feel more grounded and present
• How to connect deeply with others—without saying a word or needing more time
• The surprising neuroscience behind this “sunshine” technique
• Why genuine warmth (not grit) is your greatest leadership asset

Whether you're leading a team, managing a household, or navigating personal healing, this episode reminds you: meaningful connection is always available—and doesn’t have to come at your expense.

Try the “Sunshine Exercise” this week and tag us @DrAnnieCampanile to share your experience!

👉 Resources Mentioned:

• Free Empowerment Guide: AnnieCampanile.com
• Listen to Episode 14 for the original “Sunshine Exercise” 

Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Love this show? Say thanks with a 5 star rating or a positive review.

Want more help leading a team that gets along—and gets results? Apply for on-air coaching here (spots are limited).

More Resources for You:

• Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program
• Download your free guide: Executive Presence Starter Kit
• Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can navigate difficult conversations and set healthy boundaries at work.

Connect with Dr. Annie online: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE

2025 ©Annie Campanile, PhD