If you’ve ever walked into a room (or a job) and felt your body say “nope” before your brain caught up… this episode is for you.

On The Hey Alexa Podcast, I’m joined by Tracey Grove, MA.ODL, PCC, founder of Pure Symmetry Coaching & Consulting—executive coach, speaker, and author, whose work lives at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and real-world leadership.

We talk about what’s happening beneath behaviour: values violations, trust breakdowns, survival-mode leadership, and the quiet ways pressure rewires how we show up.

This conversation isn’t about “soft skills.”
It’s about the human operating system and how to lead (and live) with more clarity, regulation, and resilience.

🎧 Listen for: practical re-frames, honest stories, and a few “oh… that’s me” moments.

Connect with Tracey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceygrove/
Website: https://puresymmetry.com/home
Tracey's Book: Taming The Sabertooth: Resilient Leadership In A Stressful World: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1642250708?pf_rd_p=1cac67ce-697a-47be-b2f5-9ae91aab54f2&pf_rd_r=FR22SP4ZK9YAH3S9B8G3

In the first conversation of 2026, Alexa sits down with Gino Perrotte — educator, keynote speaker, and creator of the S.L.O.W. Framework to explore what it really means to reclaim presence in a culture designed to fragment our attention.

Together, they examine why burnout is often misunderstood as a personal failure instead of what it truly is: a systemic pace problem. Drawing from over 25 years in higher education, leadership, and international work, Gino reframes slowness as a vital leadership and communication skill — not an opt-out, but a conscious choice.

This episode weaves together slow education, conscious communication, travel as a teacher, and the embodied wisdom of living at a human pace. Gino introduces his S.L.O.W. Framework — Savoring, Listening, Openness, and Wisdom — offering practical, immediately applicable ways to step out of distraction and back into meaning.

From post-pandemic burnout and hustle culture, to sabbaticals in Italy, to savouring a fleeting snowfall in New York City, this conversation invites listeners to reconsider their relationship with time, attention, and what it truly means to live well.

This isn’t about doing less.
It’s about doing what matters more, intentionally.

What makes a truly impactful leader and why do so many leaders still struggle to understand their own strengths?
In this episode of Hey Alexa, I sit down with Shawn Richards, founder of Blue Sky Business Consulting, bestselling author, host of the Team Engagement Podcast, and a leadership expert who has interviewed more than 450 leaders across industries.

Shawn believes leadership isn’t a title—it’s a human practice.
And in our conversation, he breaks down why the most effective leaders aren’t the ones who follow a formula, but the ones who understand their Leadership Signature: the unique blend of strengths, tendencies, and presence that shape how they lead.

Together, we explore:
 ✨ The moment Shawn realized leadership is not one-size-fits-all
 ✨ Why traditional leadership advice often falls flat
 ✨ How understanding your strengths can transform the way you lead
 ✨ The most common blind spots leaders don’t realize they have
 ✨ How to approach change, team dynamics, and communication with more empathy and clarity
 ✨ What separates leaders who feel “mechanical” from those who are magnetic and deeply human
 ✨ Why delegation breaks down—and how to do it right
 ✨ How curiosity fuels innovation, team connection, and personal growth
 ✨ Shawn’s bold take on how AI won’t replace good leadership

This episode is packed with real-world stories, lightbulb moments, and the kind of reflective questions that help you understand yourself, not just as a leader, but as a human.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your ability to lead… or wondered how to bring more clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your work… this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

Curiosity is the currency of every conversation — and this one is rich.

🔗 Connect with Shawn Richards:
🌐 Website – Blue Sky Business Consulting
Learn more about Shawn’s work, leadership development programs, and The Team Engagement Podcast:
👉 https://blueskybizconsulting.com
 
📘 Book – Rapid Fire Leadership: Insights from 401 Business Leaders
Grab Shawn’s book here:
👉 Book homepage: https://rapidfireleadership.com
👉 Amazon listing: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FNKQ9T51

 💼 Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn
Follow Shawn and his leadership insights:
👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnjrichards