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In this special New Year’s episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams compiles lessons from several Season 1 guests to help leaders make 2025 a purposeful and growth-oriented year. Each guest highlights a key insight for personal and professional development:

• Stay Open to Possibilities
  DC Glenn, half of hip-hop duo Tag Team and CEO of CLG Investments Inc., discusses the importance of setting aside ego and embracing every opportunity as it arises. He compares past experiences to a “language model” that informs future decisions, emphasizing continual learning and evolution.
• Lead Authentically on Social Media
  Jaci Clement, CEO of Fair Media Council, underscores the need for leaders to be visible online. She recommends sharing enough personal insights to humanize yourself without overexposure, reinforcing that people want to see the real face behind the brand.
• Accept Life’s Uncertainty
  Alan Furlong, CEO of The Growth Doctors, recalls a life-altering injury at 16 to illustrate how quickly circumstances can change. He reminds leaders that there’s never a full guarantee of certainty, and that sitting with “unknowing” often reveals new opportunities that align more closely with market needs.
• Root Decisions in Core Values
  Barbara Fonti, founder of The Fonti Group and chief business coach at Big Dream Executive Coaching, emphasizes creating a personal “root document” of non-negotiable values. By aligning decisions with these core values, leaders can bring authenticity and consistency to every role they play.
• Plan Your Pause
  Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, leadership psychologist and author of The Resilience Plan, stresses the importance of scheduling pauses just as strategically as you schedule other organizational activities. Building “pause time” into your routines safeguards resilience and mental well-being.
• Pause for Collective Good
  Carol Silva Moralez, CEO of Upskill NWA, advocates not only for personal pauses but also for team-wide reflection. By giving everyone thinking space and involving them in critical decisions, organizations foster a culture of collaboration, well-being, and continuous improvement.

These insights form a powerful blueprint for stepping into 2025. Ellen invites listeners to begin the new year by pressing pause more deliberately—allowing space to focus on what truly matters, stay open to possibility, and stay grounded in personal values. Season 2 of Time to Press Pause promises more real-life C-Suite stories, offering further inspiration for leaders ready to thrive in the year ahead.