What does balance really feel like when your job follows you down the hallway, into the courtyard, and through the night? 

In this episode, we sit down with Susannah Lawrence—runner, tea loyalist, cat lady, and former residence life pro turned higher ed leader—to unpack the messy, honest truth about navigating balance across evolving career seasons.

From the charged, always-on pace of living in a residence hall to the quieter (but still draining) demands of academic advising and the restorative shift into research administration, we explore why time without energy isn’t freedom—and how boundaries begin by distinguishing urgency from true emergencies.

We dig into the hidden tradeoffs of mission-driven work: the emotional cost of people-pleasing, the burnout of caring more than the person you’re helping, and why financial well-being belongs in every mental health plan. Susannah shares how health moved from background goal to daily priority—managing blood sugar, running for connection and clarity, and building routines that quietly transform tomorrow.

We also take on technology’s tug: doom-scrolling that hijacks sleep, two-factor prompts that fracture focus, and the power of news curfews to protect your peace. Inside the workplace, we lean on research showing that friendships fuel resilience and trust makes hard days survivable. The takeaway isn’t a formula—it’s a practice: tune into your signals, adjust as you go, and let your definition of balance evolve with you.

🎧 If this conversation speaks to you, hit follow, share it with someone who’s running on empty, and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Then ask yourself: what’s one small shift you’ll make today to reclaim your energy?

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If you would like to connect to the host (Brian Hooks), please reach out to [email protected] or check out or website at BCH Coaching - BCH Coaching