Unlearning in Progress

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, but beyond the advice and resources, real stories are also needed.In this episode, Angela and Jaime share their own experiences openly and honestly. Not to offer advice or solutions, but to create space for honesty and to help anyone listening feel a little less alone in what they may be carrying.They also discuss the role we play in supporting mental health in their everyday lives, at work, in friendships, and within their communities. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as noticing a change, asking a question, or taking a few minutes to check in. They hope that speaking openly encourages more honest conversations.If you take anything from this conversation, let it be this: you’re not alone and your presence in someone else’s life matters more than you think.

What happens when the mindset that helped you succeed starts working against you?In this episode of Unlearning in Progress, we’re joined by Katie Virtue, former Division I hockey player, corporate leader, and self‑described recovering perfectionist.Katie shares her journey from elite athletics to the corporate world, where busyness became a status symbol and performance was measured by constant output. We unpack the physical, emotional, and relational signals that something wasn’t sustainable, and the pivotal moment when a leader encouraged her to stop operating at 100% and try 70% instead.In our conversation, we examine why high performers often equate exhaustion with effectiveness, how identity becomes tied to titles and productivity, and what redefining performance around purpose, energy, and sustainability looks like. Katie also introduces her Energy Eval framework and explains how small, intentional shifts can create space for clearer thinking, stronger relationships, and long‑term impact.If you’ve ever felt stuck in overdrive, tied your worth to productivity, or struggled to slow down without guilt, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: sustainable growth often begins when we question what we were taught to believe about success.

In honour of Earth Day this week, we’re taking the conversation outside. In this episode, Angela and Jaime explore the leadership lessons hidden in nature and what happens when we slow down enough to actually notice them.From the changing of seasons to the invisible growth of a planted seed, nature offers a powerful reminder: not everything is meant to happen all at once. Growth takes time. Rest has a purpose. And sometimes, what feels like falling apart is actually making space for something new.Together, we unpack what it looks like to:Recognize and trust the season you’re inLet go of the need to rush resultsEmbrace the unseen work happening beneath the surfaceMove from control to flow in how we lead and liveThis episode is a little different and maybe exactly the reminder you didn’t know you needed. Because just like nature… you’re not behind. You’re becoming.

Jaime and Angela unpack the belief that you have to be prepared and fully qualified before you begin something or apply for that job. They discuss how mindset quietly keeps women opting out of opportunities they’ve earned the right to pursue. Using golf, job applications, leadership moments, and even the podcast itself, they explore why men often treat early attempts as practice while women can experience the beginning as proof, and why being “visibly bad” can feel so risky. They talk through perfectionism, fear of rejection, worthiness, and the inner voice that tries to keep us safe by keeping us small. This conversation is a reminder that confidence doesn’t come first, it comes from reps, exposure, and starting before you feel ready.TakeawaysPermission is not required to participate and practice; trying is how skills and confidence are earned.Fear of failure and external validation can hinder participation and confidence.Challenging early beliefs and reframing self-perception are essential for personal growth.

In this episode, Angela opens up to Jaime about the deeply personal journey behind her decision to step off the corporate ladder. What looked like a successful leadership path from the outside slowly became a life that no longer fit on the inside. After years of overfunctioning, burnout, and carrying the weight of other people’s expectations, a moment of clarity made one truth impossible to ignore - it was time to choose herself.This conversation explores the unlearning required to walk away from a familiar identity and into a more aligned one. Angela and Jaime dive into inner knowing, financial readiness, self‑leadership, and the courage it takes to build a life rooted in thriving rather than surviving.It’s an honest look at what happens when climbing no longer feels like success and what becomes possible when you finally decide to choose yourself.

Jaime and Angela sit down with Jessica Berg, a somatic and inner child coach helping high-achieving women stop living against themselves and start building lives that feel aligned.After nearly two decades in corporate, including close to eight years at Adobe, Jess reached a breaking point. Despite building a successful career and life on paper, she found herself burned out, disconnected, and unable to fully enjoy the life she had worked so hard to create.Through two defining catalyst moments, Jess began to question everything she believed about success, productivity, and self-worth.In this conversation, we explore the unlearning required to step away from external validation and into self-trust. Jess shares her journey of leaving corporate, navigating the loss of identity that followed, and redefining success beyond a paycheck or title.A powerful reminder that the life you’re working so hard for… is meant to be felt.Connect with Jessicahttps://www.jessbergcoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalynneberg/https://www.instagram.com/jessbergcoaching

In this episode, Angela and Jaime sit down with Sara Onyschuk, a seasoned leader in enterprise sales and partner strategy, to explore what happens when a career built on proving yourself no longer feels aligned.Sara shares her journey from confidently saying yes to every opportunity, to stepping away from corporate life to focus on creativity and family, to returning to corporate with a clearer understanding of what truly fuels her. Together, they unpack the shift from reactive career growth to intentional design, and the courage it takes to stop doing what you can do and start choosing what you want to do.This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider what might change if you stopped proving and started choosing with intention.   

In our first guest episode of Unlearning in Progress, Angela and Jaime sit down with Deanna Christiansen, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience, to explore what happens when the career you worked decades to build no longer reflects who you are becoming. Deanna shares her journey of working toward a long-held leadership goal, only to realize that in the process, she had been shrinking herself to fit expectations that were never fully hers. Through health signals, deep reflection, and a whole lot of courage, she began to unlearn the pressure to perform and started choosing alignment instead.Deanna, Jaime, and Angela unpack the courage it takes to unlearn traditional definitions of success and reconnect with purpose, authenticity, and self‑trust. This conversation is an invitation to pause, listen inward, and consider what might be possible when you start choosing yourself.

In this episode, Angela and Jaime examine how societal pressures, comparison, and scarcity mindsets often turn connection into competition. Through candid and vulnerable storytelling, they share moments of being hurt by other women, as well as the uncomfortable truth of times they themselves contributed to that harm. Together, they explore what it takes to unlearn these patterns, build authentic relationships, and create safer spaces where women can be honest, supportive, and collaborative. This conversation is an invitation to reflect, take responsibility, and reimagine what’s possible when women choose connection over comparison.

Jaime and Angela discuss an often-taboo subject of crying in the workplace. They explore personal experiences, societal expectations, and the emotional intelligence associated with crying. Angela shares her journey of unlearning the shame associated with crying, while Jaime emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness and authenticity in leadership. The conversation highlights strategies for managing emotions in professional settings and normalizes the act of crying as a natural human experience. They also share tips on what to do when you find yourself crying in your workday, and how to show up for others who may be shedding tears. 

This week, Angela invites Jaime to share the heart behind her work as a leadership coach and why so many of us misunderstand what coaching is meant to do. They unpack why coaching isn’t about fixing, but about thriving, partnership, presence, and seeing yourself more clearly. Through honest conversation, they explore how coaching supports boundary‑setting, burnout recovery, confidence building, and the move toward your “next level” self. They also address common barriers to coaching, such as time and money, and provide insights on how to overcome these challenges. Connect with JaimeLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmwaterfield/Aspire Consulting LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspire-consulting-llc-mi/Aspire Consulting Website: https://aspireconsultingllc.my.canva.site/

In this conversation, Jaime and Angela discuss the concepts of hustle and grind, exploring the implications of grinding at work on mental health and productivity. They delve into the importance of recognizing burnout, setting boundaries, and the necessity of rest in a fast-paced work culture. The dialogue emphasizes the need to redefine work-life balance as harmony, focusing on the choices we make daily to align our work with our values and passions. The conversation concludes with reflections on finding purpose in work and the significance of taking micro-rests to enhance overall well-being.

In this conversation, Angela and Jaime explore the critical distinction between performance-based leadership and leading from a place of self-trust and authenticity. They discuss the importance of being aware of one's feelings and the impact of external pressures on decision-making. The dialogue emphasizes the journey towards authentic leadership, the significance of micro-decisions in building self-trust, and practical strategies for rewiring one's mindset to foster a more genuine leadership style. The episode concludes with actionable insights for listeners to cultivate self-trust and authenticity in their leadership roles.

In this episode, Angela and Jaime delve into their non-linear career paths, sharing personal stories of resilience and growth. Angela recounts her journey from a passionate high school student in film and television to facing significant personal challenges, including homelessness, before ultimately finding her footing in marketing. Jaime shares her own experiences, illustrating how she navigated various roles in technology and sales, and the strategic decisions that led to her success. Both speakers reflect on the value of networking, mentorship, and the courage to seize opportunities, providing listeners with actionable insights for their own career development.

In the inaugural episode of "Unlearning in Progress," co-hosts Jaime Waterfield and Angela Cope delve into the complexities of success, particularly for women who have achieved traditional markers of success yet feel unfulfilled. They explore the societal narratives surrounding ambition and worth, emphasizing that true success often diverges from external validation. The conversation highlights the importance of internal alignment and personal growth, suggesting that success should be redefined as a feeling rather than a checklist of accomplishments. Jaime shares her journey of realizing that despite her professional achievements, she felt unhappy and disconnected, prompting her to seek mindfulness and self-awareness. Angela echoes this sentiment, discussing how childhood conditioning shapes our perceptions of success and the necessity of unlearning these ingrained beliefs to find genuine fulfillment.