[Stage] Why High Performers Burn Out (with Ashley Andersen)

Jan 6, 2026

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Episode notes

In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with Ashley Andersen to reframe stress as a signal—not a setback—and explore how leaders can build mental strength, stay grounded in uncertainty, and keep showing up without burning out.

About the Guest

Ashley Andersen is the Founder & CEO of EzraSage, where she helps high-performing professionals and leadership teams build the mental strength to handle stress and pressure without burning out. With a clinical background in social work and psychology and experience as a certified executive coach and Dare to Lead™ facilitator, Ashley has worked with organizations ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 100 companies.

Key Takeaways

Stress is a signal, not a failure.
Awareness comes before intention.
Pause creates power.
Purpose buffers pressure.
Progress requires showing up.

Timestamps

[00:02] – Redefining stress beyond “good” and “bad”
[02:10] – Why the brain defaults to danger mode
[06:24] – The caveman brain at work meetings
[08:04] – The invisible guest mindset shift
[09:32] – Stop taking reactions personally
[12:13] – The power of the pause
[14:07] – Building accountability into team culture
[17:37] – Alignment beats agreement
[18:55] – Purpose as a stress buffer
[23:18] – Finding purpose through lived experiences
[28:09] – Why celebrating wins builds resilience
[32:09] – Keep showing up when it’s hard

About the Host

Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads.