What happens when a high-achieving woman hits her mid-to-late 30s, wants a baby more than anything… and realizes nobody ever taught her how fertility actually works?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, board-certified in OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and co-founder of Fora Fertility in Austin, Texas. We talk directly to the “Stephanie” archetype: the brilliant, driven, time-poor, high-performing woman who’s crushing her career… and now feels like fertility is the one thing she can’t outwork.

We cover what to do before jumping into IVF, how to think about genetic testing, how many IVF rounds are “safe,” and the emotional reality of the two-week wait (and why you shouldn’t go through it alone). Dr. Crawford also breaks down the science of stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, without the dismissive “just relax” narrative.

If you’re trying to conceive, considering IVF, navigating pregnancy loss, or planning baby #2 in your 40s, this conversation will give you data, clarity, and a calmer way to make decisions.

0:00 – Why fertility planning matters for high-achieving women

Website: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/about

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-crawford-md

Pre-order Natalie’s “The Fertility Formula Book”: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

📖Read Your Fertility-Ready Home

What happens when a high-achieving lawyer walks away from billable hours… and into a painting studio?

In this episode, James Nepaulsingh shares his journey from working in high-pressure law to studying an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art, and what it really feels like to rebuild your identity when your entire sense of worth has been tied to productivity, achievement, and external validation.

We talk about success addiction, workaholism, the brutal vulnerability of making art, and why painting isn’t always “healing”, sometimes it’s straight-up torturous. James opens up about perfectionism, criticism, flow state, synesthesia, and the surprising emotional cost of becoming an artist after building a career in one of the most demanding industries in the world.

0:00 – Intro

2:12 – Productivity identity + billable-hour PTSD

6:12 – Stigma in the art world: “lawyer with a hobby”

11:33 – RCA critiques, unlearning, and why painting feels torturous

14:33 – Family reactions + redefining identity

20:20 – Art as self-reflection (and what law suppresses)

23:34 – Burnout culture, overwork, and death in law

38:44 – Synesthesia, music, and how James experiences art

46:10 – Imperfection as rebellion against perfectionism

54:28 – Flow state, time distortion, and reduced anxiety

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nepopublic/

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/

✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s quietly burning out behind a “successful” career.

If you’ve ever had one week where you’re unstoppable… and another where everything feels heavier, this conversation will change how you see your calendar. In this episode, Renae Fieck breaks down cycle syncing (and cyclical living), why ovulation is the “queen” of the cycle, and how to align your work, workouts, food, and sleep with your natural rhythms, without letting your cycle limit your ambitions.

0:00 – Introduction

Website: https://cyclesyncyourbusiness.com/

Free Audiobook (Cycle Sync Your Business): https://renae-fieck.mykajabi.com/offers/BFXdXMLG/checkout?preview=true

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaefieck/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risingmoms

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

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

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

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

If this episode resonated, share it with a high-achieving woman who’s doing “everything right” but still feels like her energy is unpredictable.

What happens when a traditional profession meets generative AI, and now agentic AI? In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Dixon (Chief Innovation Officer) to unpack how law firms can adopt GenAI responsibly, train teams to critically evaluate outputs, and use AI to deliver more value, without burning out in the process.

We cover what GenAI is (and isn’t), why humans must stay in the loop, how to overcome resistance to change, the reality of “hallucinations,” and what the next phase, agentic AI, could mean for legal research, negotiation simulation, and early-talent development.

0:00 – Intro

Sam Dixon’s Legal Firm: https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk/people/sam-dixon

Sam Dixon’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/innovationinlaw

Connect with Me

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

In this eye-opening clean health episode, I sit down with Ashley Deeley, clean beauty expert and wellness educator, to uncover the hidden toxins quietly impacting our skin, hormones, thyroid, and overall wellbeing, often without us realizing it.

From exposing where heavy metals, forever chemicals, and endocrine disruptors hide in everyday products to explaining how “natural,” “fragrance,” and “long-lasting” labels can be misleading, Ashley breaks down how modern living is contributing to inflammation, fatigue, skin issues, and hormonal imbalance.

Whether you’re a high-performing professional dealing with unexplained exhaustion, someone struggling with thyroid or skin concerns, or simply trying to make healthier choices without extremes, this conversation will completely change how you think about your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen.

Ashley doesn’t promote perfection, she teaches practical, realistic upgrades that protect your health without adding stress.

00:00 - Introduction

06:00 - Forever chemicals explained: where they hide in beauty & daily products

14:00 - Bedding, mattresses & fire retardants: what you’re breathing at night

22:00 - Cookware, slow cookers & air fryers: hidden lead and heavy metals

31:00 - Daily exposure overload: detergents, fragrance & “natural” marketing traps

40:00 - Skincare myths: retinol, vitamin C, collagen & what actually works

50:00 - Botox, anti-aging & safer alternatives for skin health

57:00 - Thyroid health, blue light & hormone disruption

1:03:00 - Travel hacks: reducing toxin exposure on the road

1:07:30 - Final takeaways: small upgrades that make a big difference

For High-Performers: You can’t outwork environmental stress. Hidden toxins quietly drain energy, disrupt hormones, and slow recovery, even when your habits look “healthy.”

For Thyroid & Hormone Health: Everyday products can interfere with endocrine function. Reducing exposure often matters more than what you add.

For Skin & Aging: What you put on your skin matters just as much as what you eat. Clean ingredients support regeneration; synthetic ones can accelerate inflammation and aging.

For Sustainable Wellness: Health isn’t about doing everything, it’s about removing what doesn’t belong and upgrading gradually.

Ashley doesn’t just talk about clean beauty, she provides a grounded framework for creating a healthier environment that supports long-term energy, sleep, and resilience.

🌿 Ashley Deeley’s Website:  https://www.ashleydeeley.com/

📱My Home Ready Fertility E-Book: https://charlenegisele.com/your-fertility-ready-home/

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

I am joined today by William Peake, Global Managing Partner at international law firm Harneys, who has become one of legal's most influential voices on social media. We expose why traditional law firm marketing keeps partners invisible and reveal how real human communication can transform your professional presence. William reveals why boring announcement posts destroy your credibility. He explains how he posts twice daily while running a global law firm without spending hours online. He breaks down the myths around LinkedIn perfectionism and shows you exactly how busy lawyers can build authentic connections that actually drive business results. Whether you're a senior partner posting obligatory updates once a month, a legal marketing director fighting partner resistance, or a lawyer who thinks you're too serious for social media, this conversation will change everything. It proves that LinkedIn success has nothing to do with becoming an influencer. It's about showing up as an actual human being.

What we cover:

Timestamps:

07:12 Attention spans are dead: you must hook readers in the first line

22:18 Why "delighted to announce" posts are completely pointless

24:57 Posting twice daily: the actual time investment is under 45 seconds

29:00 Ghostwritten content fails: people can smell inauthenticity immediately

35:14 Burnout prevention: drinking less, eating well, exercising consistently

58:15 Conference post formula: lead with "I'm nervous" to create instant connection

01:04:25 His proudest post: vulnerability about grief created unexpected human connection

Resources:

William Peak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-peake-368953143/

Harneys Law Firm: https://www.harneys.com/

📲 Connect with Me:

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele

💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/charlènegisèlebourliout

I sat down with Mike Fave, metabolic health coach and bioenergetics expert, to expose the dark side of keto, carnivore, and intermittent fasting. Mike reveals why high-performers are wrecking their metabolisms while thinking they're "optimizing" and explains how stress hormones literally cannibalize your body tissue. He destroys the insulin hypothesis myth and shows you how to reclaim your energy, fertility, and thyroid function through strategic carbohydrate refeeding. Whether you're a burnt-out executive, a former keto dieter who can't lose weight despite eating 1200 calories, or someone terrified that sugar will give you diabetes, this conversation will revolutionize how you understand metabolism. Key Topics: Why keto works initially but destroys you long-term How energy deficits force your body to shut down reproduction and digestion Why low-carb crashes your thyroid function The fertility-metabolism connection Sugar fear deprogramming: the two-week experiment Real vs fake carbs: why orange juice heals but blueberry muffins harm Executive meal strategies and practical solutions Timestamps: 0:02:06 The common journey: paleo → keto → IF → OMAD → carnivore → disaster 0:04:29 Why keto feels amazing initially: stress hormones and confirmation bias 0:14:04 The insulin hypothesis: elegant theory, wrong conclusion 0:20:02 Stress hormone breakdown: how cortisol cannibalizes protein tissue 0:24:33 Reproductive and digestive shutdown: your body's non-negotiable cuts 0:31:08 Meet Jessica: the attorney archetype (stubborn weight, fertility, thyroid) 0:38:03 Why forcing T3 on a low-carb body backfires 0:42:36 Breaking the sugar fear: the two-week experiment framework 0:51:03 The muffin myth: "high-carb" processed foods are actually high-fat 0:53:00 Body composition wins: DEXA scans reveal muscle loss on keto 0:56:22 Stress management through carbs: why cravings are intelligent 1:01:42 Executive snack strategies: dried fruit, chocolate, macadamias 1:08:04 Meal prep solutions: restaurants, shakes, personal chefs Resources: Mike Fave's Website: https://mikefave.com Mike Fave on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mikefave Connect with Me: 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ #ProMetabolic #ThyroidHealth #KetoRecovery #MetabolicHealth #Bioenergetics #ThyroidHealing #FertilityJourney #HighPerformers #BurnoutRecovery

In this guided sleep meditation episode, I transport you to a cozy wooden chalet hidden in the snow-covered mountains. This immersive winter journey is designed to quiet your racing thoughts and guide you gently into deep, restorative sleep.

This isn't a conversation or interview. This is your personal sleep escape. I walk you through a richly detailed winter wonderland, from the first crunch of snow beneath your boots to the hypnotic dance of firelight and the breathtaking beauty of northern lights painting the night sky. Each sensory detail is carefully crafted to slow your thoughts, warm your body, and dissolve the day's tension.

Whether you struggle with overthinking at bedtime, need help transitioning from your busy day to rest, or simply want to experience the most peaceful sleep possible, this meditation will transport you far from stress and deep into winter's embrace.

What this winter journey includes:

This meditation uses no music, only the sound of my voice painting each winter scene. You don't need to stay awake until the end. You don't need to remember the words. If your mind drifts, if images soften, if sleep arrives early, that is exactly how this recording is meant to work.

How to use this meditation:

Listen lying down in bed, ready for sleep

Close your eyes and let the visualization unfold naturally

Don't try to stay awake, let sleep come whenever it's ready

Perfect for bedtime, middle of the night waking, or restless evenings

Can be used nightly as your winter sleep companion

Best for:

Step into the snow. Feel the warmth of the fire. Watch the northern lights dance. And drift into the deepest sleep.

Sweet dreams and deep rest await you in your winter chalet.

📲 Connect with Me:

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl%C3%A8ne-gis%C3%A8le-bourliout/

In this guided relaxation episode, I guide you out of constant thinking and into direct sensory experience. This meditation uses memory-based anchoring through all five senses to help you shift from mental overwhelm into embodied calm.

This isn't a conversation or interview. This is your personal relaxation companion. I walk you through a scientifically grounded technique that activates your parasympathetic nervous system by anchoring awareness in sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Each sensory memory creates a physiological shift toward ease and presence.

Whether you're stuck in analysis paralysis, feeling disconnected from your body after hours of screen time, or simply need a midday reset, this meditation will help you transition from the thinking mind to the feeling body. And the beauty is that these anchors become yours to use anytime, anywhere.

What this meditation includes:

In this raw conversation recorded in New York City, I sat down with James Sexton, a leading divorce attorney and bestselling author with 25 years of frontline experience through thousands of failed marriages. What sets this episode apart is James's unflinching honesty about what actually ends relationships, not the polite narratives people tell themselves.

James dismantles the prenup myth keeping couples financially vulnerable. He maps the marriage patterns where high performers consistently fail. And he reveals why understanding the full ecosystem you're marrying into matters more than the romantic connection that brought you together.

This is not theoretical relationship advice. This is data from a man who has an unavoidably honest seat to what destroys marriages. From Wall Street titans to A-list celebrities to world-class surgeons, James has identified the patterns most people only recognize when it's too late.

James doesn't sugarcoat divorce. He reveals that sex is always part of the equation—whether it's sexual disconnection, infidelity during connection, or infidelity despite connection. And I share my own perspective as someone who paid for my divorce, lost property, and still views it as my greatest education.

[15:30] – The worst time to learn to fight is when you're in a fight

[17:45] – Everyone has a prenup: the government wrote it for you

[20:12] – The only valid reason not to want a prenup

[25:15] – Enough vs not enough: the only two amounts of money

[31:20] – 50/50 custody: what men actually mean when they say it

[38:15] – Work as favorite narcotic: the addiction question

[58:15] – Sex, money, power: which one matters most?

[01:02:30] – Everything is about sex, sex is about power

[01:08:45] – What percentage of divorces involve sex? All of them.

[01:15:20] – Couple archetypes most likely to divorce

[01:23:15] – Two Type-A's: the endless competition that kills love

[01:28:40] – Marriage as structure over love: the false security

[01:36:20] – Three red flags James watches for

[01:42:10] – 86% remarry within five years: hope or insanity?

[01:48:15] – Wine pairing wisdom: learning by experiencing wrong pairings

📲 Connect with Me:

🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/