Women don’t Rush

We often think of the employee journey as recruitment, onboarding, training, performance reviews and career development.

But what about the human experience in between?

In this episode, I explore the everyday interactions that shape how we experience work: the conversations we have, the feedback we receive, the mistakes we make, and whether we feel heard and understood enough to take ownership.

I also explore the theory behind The Balcony, a practice of stepping away from the day-to-day “dance floor” to notice patterns that may be unhelpful especially as sometimes the things affecting performance, wellbeing and engagement aren't obvious and can therefore create unintended consequences.

Host:

Maria Rush, Communication & Self-Leadership Specialist, is passionate about helping people develop the communication skills most of us were never taught: how to navigate difficult conversations, listen with curiosity, communicate with compassion and build stronger relationships at home and at work. 

Maria helps parents, partners and professionals have conversations that create understanding, engagement and positive change - because better communication doesn't just improve conversations - it can change the way we experience our lives.

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring, workshops and speaking, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

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Episode Summary:

We talk about the excitement of being discovered and the invaluable experience of working alongside established professionals and mentors.  Zarah shares what it’s like to navigate the creative world while balancing her own artistic vision with the expectations of others, and the pressure that can come with wanting to prove yourself.

We also explore the joy of seeing groups perform music she has created - a powerful reminder that believing in your talent and allowing yourself to dream big can lead to extraordinary moments.

At the same time, this conversation is a gentle reflection on the importance of setting boundaries, standing up for yourself, and knowing when to pause or say no so that you can protect your wellbeing and truly enjoy the creative process.

This is a truly thoughtful and uplifting episode about ambition, self-belief and finding your own rhythm as you build something meaningful.

Host:

Maria helps parents, partners and professionals have conversations that create understanding, engagement and positive change - because better communication doesn't just improve conversations - it can change the way we experience our lives. 

Guest:

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

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Hosted on Podbean.  See https://www.podbean.com/privacy for more information.

Episode summary:

In this week's episode of Women Don't Rush, I speak with Isabelle Pearcey whose life changed course when chronic fatigue syndrome forced her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about work, achievement and the pace of daily life.

For years, Isabelle had been balancing family responsibilities, work, charity commitments and intensive training, living at a pace that felt both normal and exciting. But when her health began to suffer, her body delivered a message that could no longer be ignored.

Together, we explore what happens when the life we've carefully built no longer feels sustainable, and how unexpected challenges can become an opportunity to reassess what truly matters. Drawing on her existing skills, experience and resilience, Isabelle shares how she has created a more flexible and sustainable way of working and living - one that honours both her ambitions and her wellbeing.

We talk about the importance of listening to your body, being honest with yourself about your needs and limitations, and finding the courage to make changes that support long-term health. We also discuss the value of transparency in raising awareness of chronic fatigue syndrome, helping others understand its often invisible symptoms.

This is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about adapting to life's unexpected turns and discovering that when the body changes the plan, it sometimes reveals a different and ultimately more sustainable way forward.

Host:

Maria Rush, Communication & Self-Leadership Mentor, is passionate about helping people develop the communication skills most of us were never taught: how to navigate difficult conversations, listen with curiosity, communicate with compassion and build stronger relationships at home and at work. 

Maria helps parents, partners and professionals have conversations that create understanding, engagement and positive change - because better communication doesn't just improve conversations - it can change the way we experience our lives.

Guest:

Website: https://izzwhizzva.co.uk/

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

Resources Mentioned:

- “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss

- “How to Listen” by Katie Colombus, Samaritans 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Hosted on Podbean.  See https://www.podbean.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary:

We begin by exploring how learning languages can deepen cultural awareness, strengthen human connection and open the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

In the second half of our conversation, we delve into the powerful influence our upbringing can have on the careers we pursue. How much do our parents' relationships, values and attitudes towards work shape the decisions we make as adults? Do we consciously follow the examples we witnessed growing up, or do we find ourselves choosing a completely different path?

We reflect on how experiences of stability, uncertainty, ambition and sacrifice within our families can influence our sense of security, success and fulfilment. We also discuss the impact of inherited scarcity mindsets and whether a strong desire for financial independence can sometimes lead us to rush into opportunities before we've had the chance to consider what we truly want.

Host:

Guest:

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

Website: https://moreperfect.digital

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Episode Summary:

With constant updates and an endless stream of information, it’s easy to feel as though we’re always playing catch-up. We explore how to approach AI in a more sustainable way, including the role of the 80/20 principle by focusing on what we’re currently able to do, both individually and within organisations, to create meaningful impact that is good enough.

We also reflect on the broader implications of AI in female-present work sectors, shifting workloads and the impact on cognitive wellbeing. We also explore what it means to stay informed, while also protecting our energy and how we can support the younger generations to make informed decisions and help them enter the workforce on their terms.

Host:

Through a proven awareness and communication framework, Maria supports you as a parent, partner and professional to become the leader people are truly looking for - authentic, compassionate and adaptable.

Guest:

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

Website: madalinabuzdugan.com 

Resources Mentioned:

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Hosted on Podbean.  See https://www.podbean.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary:

We discuss the changing relationship women have with status and identity at this stage of life, and why letting go of external validation can open the door to something more authentic. This conversation looks at the emotional and practical challenges of stepping away from the status quo, and the courage it takes to pause, reflect, and choose a new direction.

Ultimately, this episode is about permission. Permission to take time. To question old identities. To release what no longer fits. And to embrace a new chapter with confidence, even when the path ahead isn’t fully defined.

Host:

Guest:

The The Midlife Reinvention Reset Podcast: https://app.helloaudio.fm/feed/4f02db1f-659c-46f2-902d-ea79b1b49c8b/signup

Substack: https://substack.com/@jillckane

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jillkane

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jillkanewellness

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Episode Summary:

In this episode, I explore how our communication habits are often shaped by what we observed growing up, rather than what truly creates understanding and connection and how the gap between good communication expectations and reality is bigger than we think.

The gap often results in misunderstandings, frustration, emotional overload, and conversations that don’t quite land the way we intended, both at home and at work.

This is a reflective and practical episode, offering a different way of thinking about communication – that better communication isn’t about saying more. It’s about understanding more.

Host:

Resources Mentioned:

- The Connected Leadership Programme

- 1:1 Mentoring

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Episode Summary:

So many women have been taught to be in constant doing mode, viewing their monthly rhythm as something inconvenient. In this episode, we soften that narrative and return to a more compassionate understanding of the cyclical nature of womanhood - from the inward stillness of our inner winter to the expressive bloom of our inner summer - and how understanding these phases and the wisdom of the womb can deepen our self-compassion, energy awareness, creativity, rest and empowerment.

Host:

Guest:

Website: https://www.lexidranidiyoga.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi.dranidi.yoga

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Episode Summary:

Being capable, reliable, and caring often leads to carrying more than is sustainable - at work, at home, and in relationships. This episode looks at how the fixer role forms, why it feels so hard to step out of, and what changes when leadership shifts from responsibility to relationship.

This is an invitation to lead with greater trust, presence, and ease to become the leader people are genuinely looking for.

Host:

Resources Mentioned:

- Sign up to my newsletter

- The Connected Leadership Programme

- 1:1 Mentoring

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Women Don’t Rush, I’m joined by Angelica, a powerful young woman living with cerebral palsy and who is using social media as a tool for visibility, education, and compassion. Through sharing her real and unfiltered life online, Angelica challenges bias and preconceived ideas around disability, and invites others to see beyond assumptions.

We talk about the importance of knowing your needs, expressing boundaries, and giving yourself permission to live authentically in every season of life. Our conversation explores the duality of navigating different chapters, accepting where you are, and making the most of the current moment rather than rushing toward the next.

We also discuss the urgent need for greater awareness around accessibility and inclusion in workplaces and public spaces, and how meaningful change begins with empathy, representation, and listening. 

Maria Rush, Leadership Mentor & Speaker, helps capable and high-achieving people navigate the human side of leadership to experience more calm, joy and fulfillment.    Through a proven awareness and communication framework, Maria supports you as a parent, partner and professional to become the leader people are truly looking for - authentic, empathetic and adaptable.

Guest:

 Angelica Johansson, Digital Marketeer, Content Creator  & Speaker

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

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/angelica-johansson-72107b24a

Key Takeaways:

- Authentic visibility as a tool for change.

- Knowing yourself, expressing boundaries and honouring your season.

- Accessibility and inclusion beyond awareness.

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave me a 5-star review! 

Let’s connect on Instagram https://instagram.com/womendontrushpodcast and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/mariadhrush

For more information on mentoring and group programmes, please visit my website https://mariarush.co.uk