In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with efficiency expert Helena Weiss-Duman to explore the ideas behind Priya Parker’s Art of Gathering — and how they transform the way we design virtual meetings, workshops, and everyday connection.

When digital calendars overflow and every Zoom call starts to blur together, intentional gathering becomes a radical act of clarity and self-respect. Helena breaks down the mindset shifts and micro-adjustments that turn a routine meeting into a meaningful moment.

What you’ll learn:
• How to design virtual meetings with clear purpose
• Hosting vs. facilitating — and why the difference matters
• Simple shifts that deepen connection on screen
• The hidden productivity of intentional pauses
• Why thoughtful gathering simplifies your work and your life

Connect with the Guest — Helena Weiss-Duman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenaweissduman/

Resources Mentioned
Priya Parker — The Art of Gathering: https://www.priyaparker.com

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette
LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill
Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me
Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: priya parker, art of gathering, virtual meetings, intentional gathering, facilitation, simplicity, leadership, women in leadership, bernadette hill podcast, shortcuts

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill shares a practical, confidence-building insight inspired by returner and people leader Priya Venkatesan.

Returning to work after a long career break can feel overwhelming — especially for women navigating identity, caregiving transitions, cultural expectations, or major life shifts. This micro-lesson introduces the power of iRelaunch and similar return-to-work programs, along with the mindset shift that helps women move from hesitation to courage.

Whether you’re relaunching your own career or supporting someone who is, this Shortcut offers clarity, direction, and gentle encouragement to take your next step with confidence.

Topics in this episode:

• What “relaunching” really means for women returning to work

• The mindset shift that supports confidence and clarity

• How programs like iRelaunch open doors and rebuild networks

• Why career breaks do not diminish your value

• Micro-steps to begin again

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette/

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop:

https://savageswag.printful.me/

Website / Community (Circle):

https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: career relaunch, iRelaunch, returner experience, women returning to work, career confidence, identity, transition, simplicity, bernadette hill podcast, priya venkatesan

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Priya Venkatesan—a business analyst, immigrant, mother, and returner whose journey reflects deep courage and reinvention.

After immigrating from India through an arranged marriage, Priya put her own ambitions on hold—even with a degree in computer science. A 16-year career break followed, filled with caregiving, identity shifts, and the quiet ache of watching her professional dreams drift out of reach.

When Priya decided to rebuild her career, she turned toward possibility instead of fear. Through confidence work, community, and programs like iRelaunch, she re-entered the workforce, rebuilt her professional identity, and reclaimed her worth.

This conversation is an honest and deeply human exploration of reinvention—what it takes to return to yourself after years away, and how women rebuild identity, confidence, and courage one choice at a time.

Topics in this episode:

• The emotional reality of a 16-year career break

• Returning to work as a woman, mother, and immigrant

• Reclaiming identity, voice, and worth

• Using iRelaunch and community support to re-enter the workforce

• The courage to begin again

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette/

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop:

https://savageswag.printful.me/

Website / Community (Circle):

https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: career break, career relaunch, iRelaunch, immigrant women, arranged marriage, women returning to work, identity, self-worth, personal reinvention, bernadette hill podcast

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Jen Carmichael, Director at UC Davis and a powerhouse in higher education logistics and operations. With more than 23 years of service at one of the top public universities in the country, Jen has become a respected leader known for discipline, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to people-first leadership.

As President of the University Logistics and Supply Chain Association, Jen has helped elevate logistics and operations across higher education. She’s a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, a mentor, and an advocate for servant leadership rooted in authenticity and care.

In this conversation, Jen opens up about embracing neurodivergence, cutting through chaos with clarity, and leading without apology. Her approach shows that structure doesn’t have to be rigid — it can be deeply human.

What you’ll learn:

• How servant leadership transforms teams

• Why clarity cuts through chaos in fast-paced environments

• Leading authentically as a neurodivergent professional

• How logistics and operations can be deeply human work

• Building structure without losing yourself

Connect with the Guest — Jen Carmichael

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencarmichael (confirm actual URL if needed)

Professional associations or website (optional)

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me

Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: servant leadership, logistics director, higher education operations, neurodivergence, leadership clarity, women in operations, six sigma green belt, uc davis leadership, storytelling, bernadette hill podcast

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill shares how she used the Lean 5S method — yes, that workplace organizing tool — to bring structure, peace, and a little joy to her family’s chaotic pandemic homeschool setup.

With a 6-year-old first grader, a tiny desk overflowing with Legos, and a need to create calm during uncertainty, Bernadette turned to 5S as a practical way to simplify. What started as an experiment became a beautiful reminder that improvement doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it looks like a clear surface, a labeled bin, and an ice cream high five.

This mini-lesson is a heartfelt window into applying continuous improvement at home, and a reminder that simplicity isn’t sterile — it’s human.

What you’ll learn:

• How 5S works in real-life—not factory—settings

• Why structure helps kids feel safe and confident

• Small systems that reduce emotional and visual clutter

• How simplicity supports parenting during stressful seasons

• Why Lean tools belong in everyday life

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me

Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: 5s method, lean for life, simplifying motherhood, pandemic homeschooling, personal improvement, continuous improvement, home organization, bernadette hill podcast, shortcuts, simplicity tools

In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill breaks down a simple but powerful insight inspired by productivity expert David Allen, creator of the Getting Things Done (GTD) method.

GTD isn’t about doing more — it’s about clearing mental clutter so you have the space to think, create, and lead with intention. This micro-lesson explores one foundational GTD shift that can immediately reduce overwhelm and help you take back control of your day.

Whether you’re juggling multiple roles, navigating a busy work season, or simply craving less chaos, this Shortcut offers a calm, doable way to create clarity fast.

What you’ll learn:

• The core idea behind David Allen’s Getting Things Done

• How GTD reduces mental load

• Why capturing ideas frees up emotional energy

• A simple shift to make your task list actually work for you

• How GTD supports women navigating complex lives

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me

Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: gtd, david allen, getting things done, productivity, personal efficiency, women and simplicity, mental load, task management, bernadette hill podcast

In this episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill sits down with Helena Weiss-Duman—efficiency expert, community builder, and thoughtful voice in intentional living.

Helena believes personal efficiency isn’t about doing more — it’s about designing systems that honor your strengths, reduce friction, and help you show up as your best self. Together, Bernadette and Helena explore the human side of streamlining workflows, identifying your “zone of genius,” and gathering people in ways that foster collaboration and meaningful change.

This conversation is warm, practical, and deeply relatable — especially for women navigating motherhood, leadership, creativity, and the emotional clutter that holds us back from clarity.

Key takeaways:

• Why efficiency doesn’t mean overcomplication

• Identifying your “Zone of Genius” early for career success

• The art and impact of gathering people effectively

• How to create personal efficiency systems that truly work

• The unexpected emotional side of simplifying your life

Connect with the Guest — Helena Weiss-Duman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenaweissduman/

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Priya Parker – https://www.priyaparker.com

David Allen (GTD) – https://gettingthingsdone.com

Greg McKeown (Essentialism) – https://gregmckeown.com

Tiago Forte (Building a Second Brain) – https://fortelabs.com

James Clear (Atomic Habits) – https://jamesclear.com

Cal Newport (Deep Work) – https://calnewport.com

Tools:

OmniFocus (task management)

FocusMate (virtual co-working)

Podcasts Referenced:

Asian Efficiency

The Lazy Genius

Best of Both Worlds

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me

Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: personal efficiency, women and productivity, community building, intentional gathering, simplicity systems, workflow design, zone of genius, bernadette hill podcast, storytellers

I’m Bernadette Hill, and welcome to Savage Simplicity — a podcast about real women navigating the messy, complicated, beautiful reality of life.

Around here, we believe simplicity isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what matters. It’s about telling the truth, sharing our stories, and designing a life that works for us.

I’m a mom, a continuous improvement expert, and a woman who has rebuilt her life more times than she can count. My journey includes a dysfunctional childhood, addiction and recovery, joblessness, postpartum depression, identity loss, relationship challenges, and career reinvention. These experiences shaped not just my work — but my worldview.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career helping people and systems run more efficiently across industries including healthcare, supply chain, and higher education. Personally, I’ve spent just as much time learning how to simplify chaos inside my own home, heart, and history.

Savage Simplicity exists because women thrive when we learn from each other.

Through honest conversations, practical tools, and shared stories, we explore how to:

• Navigate change and reinvention

• Build a life with more clarity and less overwhelm

• Create systems that support who we are becoming

• Lead, parent, and grow with intention

• Make simplicity a sustainable practice

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly rebuilding — you’re in the right place.

Subscribe, listen in, and join the conversation.

Because life doesn’t have to be so damn complicated.

Let’s simplify it — together.

Connect with Savage Simplicity wherever you already are →

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@savagesimplicity

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savagesimplicity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savage.simplicity.with.bernadette/

LinkedIn – Bernadette Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettehill/

Savage Swag Shop: https://savageswag.printful.me

Website / Community (Circle): https://circle.so/c/savagesimplicity

Keywords: simplicity, women’s stories, personal growth, reinvention, recovery, motherhood, continuous improvement, leadership, identity, resilience, bernadette hill podcast