The Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen
In today’s episode, Heather welcomes authors, leadership consultants, and husband and wife team Dr. Linda Schubring and Brian Schubring to explore the deeper meaning of identity, transformation, and trusting your inner map. Together, they discuss their bestselling book Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, a powerful allegory that invites readers to rediscover their inner wisdom and reshape how they show up in the world. Through stories of leadership coaching, personal reflection, and creative collaboration, Heather, Linda, and Brian unpack how uncertainty, change, and...
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In today’s episode, Heather invites you to rethink everything you’ve been taught about power poses, confidence, and presence. While the classic “hands-on-hips” stance is often linked to authority, this episode reveals a far more effective and far more compassionate power move: simply sitting down. Drawing from real experiences in leadership, advocacy, and high-stakes conversations, Heather shares how lowering yourself to someone else’s level can transform interactions, build trust, and leave a lasting impact. From courtroom moments to everyday leadership lessons, you’ll see why...
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In today’s episode, Heather Hansen breaks down one of the most important skills we all need in a world shaped by rapid information, social media trends, artificial intelligence, and constant noise: the ability to avoid being fooled, misled, or scammed. As a trial attorney who spent decades cross-examining witnesses and uncovering the truth, Heather Hansen shares a simple but powerful four-part process you can use to stay discerning, think critically, and protect yourself from false ideas, misleading content, and even your own unexamined thoughts. Whether it is viral AI clips, trending online...
info_outlineThe Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen
In today’s episode, Heather Hansen explores one of the most powerful tools we have for connection, credibility, and healing: compassion. Drawing from research, courtroom experience, and two decades defending healthcare providers, Heather Hansen breaks down the real meaning of compassion and the specific actions that genuinely make people feel seen, heard, and supported. She also shares new insights from recent medical research on how compassion improves patient outcomes, reduces burnout for healthcare providers, and strengthens every relationship in your life. Whether you are a leader,...
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In today’s episode, Heather Hansen sits down with her good friend and returning guest, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, Michigan judge, author, and trailblazer best known for presiding over the Larry Nassar USA Gymnastics case. Together, they dive into Judge Aquilina’s newest book, Speak Up: Lessons in Trusting Your Instincts, and unpack what it truly means to embrace your voice, conquer fear, and stand in your self-worth. Drawing from her decades on the bench, her time in the military, and her role as a mentor for women, Rosemarie shares how we can turn fear into fuel, failure into wisdom, and...
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In today’s episode, Heather sits down with John Lowry, lawyer, negotiation coach, and author of Negotiation Made Simple, to uncover what it really takes to become a confident, effective negotiator. John’s experience as a professor at Pepperdine University’s renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, CEO of The Lowry Group, and consultant to major organizations gives him a unique lens into the psychology and strategy behind every great deal. Together, Heather and John explore how mastering negotiation isn’t just about tactics; it’s about managing yourself, understanding others,...
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In today’s episode, Heather sits down with award-winning interior designer Manuella Moreira, founder of Manuella Moreira Interiors, to talk about what it really means to advocate for yourself in business, creativity, and life. From her leap of faith leaving a stable job to launching her own design studio, to building a media presence with features in Forbes, The New York Times, and Architectural Digest, Manuella shares how trusting your intuition and showing up with courage can open the doors you’ve been waiting for. Together, Heather and Manuella explore how self-advocacy, boundaries, and...
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In today’s episode, Heather wraps up her three-part series on how to advocate for yourself at work and this one’s all about the magic moment: mastering the art of the ask. If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for what you want because you weren’t sure how to do it gracefully, persuasively, or confidently, this episode is for you. Heather breaks down what true charisma really means (it’s not about being flashy or loud!) and how you can use empathy, storytelling, and the right tone to inspire others to say yes. With powerful stories, evidence-based research, and step-by-step guidance,...
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In this second episode of Heather’s three-part series on how to advocate for yourself at work, she dives into one of the most transformative steps: asking for what you want out loud and with delight. Building on the foundation from Part 1 (“Know What You Want”), Heather explores why choice and energy are everything when it comes to advocating effectively. Asking for what you want isn’t just about words—it’s about how you feel when you ask. From her years as a trial attorney to her experience coaching clients, Heather reveals how shifting your beliefs can transform your results,...
info_outlineThe Elegant Warrior with Heather Hansen
In today’s episode, Heather kicks off a special three-part series on how to advocate for yourself at work, whether you’re seeking a raise, a promotion, or a new opportunity. Advocacy isn’t just about asking, it’s about asking in a way that makes you likely to get it. This first episode focuses on the foundation of self-advocacy: knowing what you want. Heather shares how clarity, specificity, and the courage to want what you want can completely change the way you approach your goals. Through real client stories and practical tools, she reveals why defining what you want is the key to...
info_outlineIn today’s episode, Heather Hansen explores one of the most powerful tools we have for connection, credibility, and healing: compassion. Drawing from research, courtroom experience, and two decades defending healthcare providers, Heather Hansen breaks down the real meaning of compassion and the specific actions that genuinely make people feel seen, heard, and supported.
She also shares new insights from recent medical research on how compassion improves patient outcomes, reduces burnout for healthcare providers, and strengthens every relationship in your life. Whether you are a leader, parent, partner, clinician, or friend, these eight proven behaviors can transform the way you communicate and connect.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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The Real Definition of Compassion – Why it is not about suffering with others, but about recognizing their struggle and taking action to relieve it.
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Eight Proven Compassion Behaviors – The research-backed actions that make people feel understood, respected, and supported.
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Why Tone Matters – How the way you speak communicates your energy and becomes a key sign of compassion.
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The Power of Nonjudgment – How dropping judgment makes people more open, honest, and trusting.
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Gender and Race Differences in Compassion Needs – What research shows women and people of color uniquely identify as compassionate behavior.
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Everyday Compassion – How to apply these actions at home, at work, and in your community to create meaningful change.
In this episode:
[00:00] Heather Hansen on being an Elegant Warrior and embracing life’s challenges
[02:00] Why compassion is one of the three pillars of credibility, compassion, and charisma
[04:47] How compassion affects patient outcomes and healthcare burnout
[07:10] The eight behaviors that signal compassion in medical research
[09:34] Listening carefully and taking concerns seriously
[11:59] Eye contact, presence, tone, and nonjudgment
[14:09] Why the least judgmental people are the most trusted
[16:36] Responding to opportunities to show compassion
[18:30] What women uniquely perceive as compassionate
[19:03] What people of color identify as signs of respect and compassion
[21:26] How to create a ripple effect of compassion in your daily life
Resources and Links:
📘 Book: Compassionomics by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli
📘 Book: Wonder Drug by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli
Connect with Heather:
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Heather’s TikTok
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heather@elegantwarrior.com