Have you ever felt trapped in a life that looks great on paper but leaves you feeling unfulfilled? Making a major change can feel terrifying - but what if fear isn’t a stop sign, but a signal that you're on the right path?

My guest on this episode of The Ambitious Introvert® is Meg Trucano Ph.D. - a developmental psychologist and confidence coach who helps ambitious women navigate major life and career changes. After spending 15+ years leading high-profile research for U.S. government agencies, she experienced burnout and realized external success didn’t equal fulfillment. Now, she empowers women to reclaim their time, energy, and self-trust while building careers and lives that align with their true desires.

Meg shares her personal journey from high-achieving corporate leader to entrepreneur, breaking down the misconceptions around life transitions and what it really takes to make a big change. We also dive into the psychology of flow states, outdated work narratives, and how simplifying your approach to success can lead to more energy and fulfillment.

Meg is also a private client of mine, so we also dive into the changes she’s seen as an introvert working with an introvert-specific coach!

1. Big career changes can feel terrifying - but courage is acting despite fear
2. Flow happens when skill meets challenge, and more flow may lead to more success
3. The outdated work beliefs that are keeping us stuck
4. Success isn’t one-size-fits-all - if fact, Meg found more impact (and energy) by focusing on only what actually worked for her.
5. Forget perfect plans - just take the next step. Spoiler alert - clarity comes from action, not overthinking.

If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re ready to make a change, this episode is for you.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

🌐 Meg Trucano Website
◾️Meg Trucano LinkedIn
◾️Meg Trucano Instagram
◾️Changeology
◾️Clifton Strengths
◾️Diary of a CEO
◾️Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
◾️Stephen Bartlett

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

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Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here.

Have you ever thought bravery was something some people were just born with? That it only shows up during a crisis - or that it's not really relevant to your everyday life or work? My guest on this episode of The Ambitious Introvert® is here to challenge all of that!

Jim Moorhead is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Drawing from his background as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, investment banker at Goldman Sachs, and law firm partner, he’s developed a powerful framework for building and modeling bravery - both personally and organizationally. His book, The Instant Survivor: Right Ways to Respond When Things Go Wrong, is a go-to guide for responding to adversity with grounded, intentional action.

In this episode, Jim breaks down the biggest myths around bravery, how leaders and teams can cultivate it (yes, it’s learnable!), and why consistent small brave actions matter far more than one-off heroics. Whether you’re leading a business, working in a team, or simply trying to show up more fully for yourself, you’ll take something away from this conversation.

Tune in to hear:

1. Bravery isn’t innate - it’s a skill you can build over time
2. Misconceptions about bravery that are holding people and companies back
3. How companies that talk about, model, and reward bravery create space for innovation
4. Why naming and celebrating bravery helps reinforce it across teams and cultures
5. Ways to be brave every single day - no crisis required!

If you've ever told yourself you're "just not brave", this episode is your invitation to rethink that entirely.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

🌐 Jim Moorhead Website
◾️ Jim Moorhead LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.

PREMIUM SUPPORT:

Interested in working with me 1:1? Learn more and apply here

Burnout is shifting - it’s not just exhaustion anymore, but overworking to the point of depletion. In this episode, I talk to Maegan Megginson, a Business Mentor, Licensed Therapist, and host of Deeply Rested, to unpack what burnout really looks like today and why high achievers (especially introverts and highly sensitive people) may be more susceptible to it.

We explore the trauma response connection to burnout, why capitalism and patriarchal narratives fuel overwork, and how aligning your work with natural rhythms can help you break free. Plus, Maegan shares her personal burnout and recovery journey, offering insights, strategies, and a sensitive introvert’s perspective on success, rest, and resilience.

Tune in to hear:

• How burnout symptoms are changing - why overwork, not just exhaustion, is the new red flag
• The financial cost of burnout - how it’s costing companies millions per year
• The trauma response link to burnout - why some people (especially HSPs & introverts) are more vulnerable
• How to untangle burnout from capitalism & patriarchal conditioning - so you can redefine success on your own terms
• Why connecting with nature can help combat burnout - and how to align your work and life with natural rhythms

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of pushing, striving, and overworking - this episode is a must-listen. Maegan brings a holistic approach to success that prioritizes rest, alignment, and breaking free from societal burnout traps.

🎧 Grab your headphones, take a deep breath, and let’s dive in!

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

🎧 Deeply Rested Podcast
📖 Maegan’s Website
📧 Read the Deeply Rested Newsletter

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE:

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here.

PREMIUM SUPPORT:

Interested in working with me 1:1? Start the conversation by completing this short form and I’ll be in touch.