411: How to help high achievers share the load - with Meghan French Dunbar
Release Date: 02/17/2026
412: How to respectfully disagree - with Justin Jones-Fosu (ALL-STAR)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Ever been in a heated debate (or worse) an argument where you flat-out disagreed with the other person? How did it go? How did it end? And more importantly, how is that relationship doing after that conversation? Let’s talk about respect today, my friend! My all-star special guest today is author Justin Jones-Fosu and he’s simplifying how to respectfully disagree, both at work and at home. As you think about the potential critical conversations that might happen today or this week ahead, I hope today’s conversation gives you deeper insight on how to keep your cool, not get...
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411: How to help high achievers share the load - with Meghan French Dunbar
The Simplifiers Podcast
High achievers are the ones everyone counts on. They say yes. They move fast. They carry the team when things get heavy. And on paper, it looks like high performance. But underneath? A lot of “high performance” cultures are really optimizing for output… not human flourishing. And the people who pay the price first are the high achievers — the over-functioners — the ones who quietly become the bottleneck and the safety net. Because when success means sacrifice… sharing the load can start to feel like failure. My special guest today is Meghan French Dunbar, and...
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410: How to be a joy-centered people leader - with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker
The Simplifiers Podcast
A lot of people leaders are exhausted right now. They’re holding the line on performance… trying to keep their teams engaged… and making hard calls under pressure. And in the middle of all that, one thing gets pushed to the bottom of the list: Joy. Not the “happy all the time” kind of joy. Not “good vibes only.” But joy as an operating system — the thing that stabilizes how you lead, how you respond, and how you treat people when work gets messy. Because when a leader runs on urgency, fear, or control… the team can feel it. And it costs you: trust,...
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B166: How to be a calm, centered people leader (guided visualization)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Time for a guided visualization exercise: How to be a calm, centered people leader. Because let’s be honest—leading people is meaningful work… and it can also be emotionally demanding. You’re holding space for others, making decisions, navigating change, managing expectations, and trying to do it all with empathy and integrity. This episode is for the moments when you want to lead with clarity instead of reactivity. With presence instead of pressure. With calm confidence instead of overwhelm. This is about learning how to center yourself first, so you can show up as the steady,...
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409: How to stand out on LinkedIn - with Haley ONeill (ALL-STAR)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Raise your hand if you’re currently looking for a job right now? You might be curious… How do I get more recruiters to notice me? How do I elevate my credibility in my sector? Or maybe you’re wanting to speak at more industry conferences? How might you better achieve your professional goals this year? Well, it’s time to rethink how you show up on LinkedIn... more specifically, how to stand out on this professional platform as a thought leader. My all-star special guest today is recruiter Haley ONeill and she’s simplifying how to stand out on LinkedIn. With over 109k followers...
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408: How to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams - with John Bernatovicz
The Simplifiers Podcast
HR teams are being asked to do more than ever before — move faster, support burned-out employees, and navigate constant change. And yet, many HR functions are still operating with a compliance-first mindset that slows innovation and limits impact. What if HR didn’t function like a back-office department… but instead, like a startup inside the organization? My special guest today is John Bernatovicz, and he’s simplifying how to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams. John has built his career blending entrepreneurship and HR, and he believes the future of HR depends on...
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407: How to design workspaces where every brain thrives - with Nikki Drader-Mazza
The Simplifiers Podcast
When leaders talk about workplace design, they often focus on the physical space. But the environments that shape how people think, collaborate, and perform are just as much about processes, expectations, and unspoken norms. If we want every brain to thrive at work, we have to examine the systems that quietly determine who gets supported — and who’s left to adapt. My special guest today is Nikki Drader-Mazza, and she’s simplifying how to design workspaces where every brain thrives. This conversation challenges how we think about neurodiversity, inclusion, and what it actually takes...
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B165: How to have an incredible year ahead (guided visualization)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Time for a guided visualization exercise: How to have an incredible year ahead. Not a year filled with overwhelm. But a year filled with simplicity and ease. A year where you go after your goals—using your vision board as your compass—guiding you toward what you truly want, need, and desire in your work and your life. This is about … creating new opportunities that actually support your vision of an incredible life. One where you practice discernment. You say no to the things, people, and opportunities that don’t fit your vision. And you stay committed to showing up for the...
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B164: How to create a vision board 2.0
The Simplifiers Podcast
Happy New Year, friends - to kick things off on the right foot, here’s how to create a vision board to help guide you in the year ahead. This has been a tool I’ve used for the last decade and let me tell you, it works! I like to create mine during the last week of the year and it serves as a visual guide to help me remember what is most important in my life. Let me explain… It's a visual representation of my core values, my desires, and my goals. Every single element I put on my vision board has been carefully picked and considered to ensure it feels right… and it’s...
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B163: What I learned this year + what’s next in 2026
The Simplifiers Podcast
Gosh, that year went by FAST! Let’s recap 2025 — Season 8 of The Simplifiers Podcast. The greatest things I’ve learned. What stood out the most. And where we’re headed next. ✨ What Season 8 Made Crystal Clear Before I wrap up, I just want to say thank you. To our incredible guests — for sharing real, honest insights. To our clients — for trusting us with meaningful work. And to you, our listeners — for believing that work can be better. Because the truth is… Work is broken for a lot of people. And here at The Simplifiers, we’re on a mission to...
info_outlineHigh achievers are the ones everyone counts on.
They say yes.
They move fast.
They carry the team when things get heavy.
And on paper, it looks like high performance.
But underneath?
A lot of “high performance” cultures are really optimizing for output… not human flourishing.
And the people who pay the price first are the high achievers — the over-functioners — the ones who quietly become the bottleneck and the safety net.
Because when success means sacrifice…
sharing the load can start to feel like failure.
My special guest today is Meghan French Dunbar, and she’s simplifying how to help high achievers share the load — without slowing everything down.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Meghan French Dunbar and she’s simplifying how to help high achievers share the load.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
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How to spot whether your culture is optimizing for productivity or human flourishing — and how you can tell by what gets measured and rewarded.
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What the “success means sacrifice” mindset looks like in day-to-day behavior for high achievers — and why it’s so hard to interrupt.
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Why burnout is a systemic problem, not an individual one — and the org-level drivers that push high achievers into over-functioning.
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One simple practice she’s seen in healthy companies that helps high achievers share the load without losing momentum.
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And for the HRBPs and managers listening: 3 quick moves you can try this week to make “sharing the load” normal — using collaboration and psychological safety, not guilt or heroics.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to help your high achievers share the load? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:
https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/411-how-to-help-high-achievers-share-the-load---with-meghan-french-dunbar