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How Stillness Rewires the Brain and Brings Us Back to Purpose.
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There comes a point when pushing harder stops helping. Sometimes the real breakthrough begins when I finally pause.
Welcome to The Rise Experience Podcast, where faith and leadership meet growth from within. I’m Shannon Denniston, and I walk with leaders who want to rise with integrity, courage, and compassion. Every episode gives space to slow down, reflect, and strengthen the inner life—because leading well always starts with leading myself first.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, I talk about the power of rest and why slowing down isn’t laziness, it’s leadership. I break down how the brain responds to stress, why busyness can feel strangely safe, and how rest becomes a spiritual and mental reset. I also walk through my RISE framework and share how pausing creates clarity, creativity, and a deeper connection with God.
Episode Outline
- The brain is wired for survival before success, making rest feel unfamiliar at first.
- Stress and busyness can create a false sense of safety because they feel predictable.
- Rest rewires the brain through neuroplasticity, helping stillness feel safe again.
- Pausing lowers cortisol, supports clearer thinking, and strengthens empathy.
- Rest is foundational, not a reward and essential for sustainable leadership.
- Jesus modeled rhythms of withdrawal and renewal, reminding us that rest is spiritual.
- Chronic stress weakens the connection with purpose, creativity, and people.
- The RISE method — reset, implement, strengthen, elevate creates sustainable rhythms.
- Community and accountability help keep rest from becoming an afterthought.
- Rest is an act of trust in myself, the process, and God’s timing.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:07 The Power of Pause: Introduction and Context
03:44 The Science of Rest and Its Benefits
08:59 The Role of Rest in Leadership and Productivity
12:41 Practical Steps to Incorporate Rest
16:21 The Spiritual Dimension of Rest
Call to Action
If this conversation spoke to you, share it with someone who might need the reminder to pause. Follow the podcast so we can keep growing together as a community of grounded, faith-led leaders.
Supporting Information
- Instagram: @risewithshannon
- Facebook: Rise Experience
- LinkedIn: Shannon Denniston
- Business: https://msha.ke/shanden
- Coaching: https://msha.ke/risewithshannon
Thanks for spending this time with me. I’m grateful to walk with you as we learn to lead from a place of peace, not pressure. More conversations like this are on the way.
View all episodes
By Shannon DennistonSend me a text
There comes a point when pushing harder stops helping. Sometimes the real breakthrough begins when I finally pause.
Welcome to The Rise Experience Podcast, where faith and leadership meet growth from within. I’m Shannon Denniston, and I walk with leaders who want to rise with integrity, courage, and compassion. Every episode gives space to slow down, reflect, and strengthen the inner life—because leading well always starts with leading myself first.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, I talk about the power of rest and why slowing down isn’t laziness, it’s leadership. I break down how the brain responds to stress, why busyness can feel strangely safe, and how rest becomes a spiritual and mental reset. I also walk through my RISE framework and share how pausing creates clarity, creativity, and a deeper connection with God.
Episode Outline
- The brain is wired for survival before success, making rest feel unfamiliar at first.
- Stress and busyness can create a false sense of safety because they feel predictable.
- Rest rewires the brain through neuroplasticity, helping stillness feel safe again.
- Pausing lowers cortisol, supports clearer thinking, and strengthens empathy.
- Rest is foundational, not a reward and essential for sustainable leadership.
- Jesus modeled rhythms of withdrawal and renewal, reminding us that rest is spiritual.
- Chronic stress weakens the connection with purpose, creativity, and people.
- The RISE method — reset, implement, strengthen, elevate creates sustainable rhythms.
- Community and accountability help keep rest from becoming an afterthought.
- Rest is an act of trust in myself, the process, and God’s timing.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:07 The Power of Pause: Introduction and Context
03:44 The Science of Rest and Its Benefits
08:59 The Role of Rest in Leadership and Productivity
12:41 Practical Steps to Incorporate Rest
16:21 The Spiritual Dimension of Rest
Call to Action
If this conversation spoke to you, share it with someone who might need the reminder to pause. Follow the podcast so we can keep growing together as a community of grounded, faith-led leaders.
Supporting Information
- Instagram: @risewithshannon
- Facebook: Rise Experience
- LinkedIn: Shannon Denniston
- Business: https://msha.ke/shanden
- Coaching: https://msha.ke/risewithshannon
Thanks for spending this time with me. I’m grateful to walk with you as we learn to lead from a place of peace, not pressure. More conversations like this are on the way.