In Episode 93 of Creating Cadence, Mich Bondesio explores why burnout can keep happening at work — and why it’s not a personal failure.

Building on the themes of Burning Bright (ep. 91) and The Myth of More (ep. 92), this episode zooms out to examine the invisible architecture of overwork. From hustle culture and digital distraction to decision fatigue and the “infinite workday,” Mich unpacks the hidden tax modern leaders are paying — not in money, but in attention.

This episode introduces a powerful concept: your attention ratio — the measure of deep, high-value work versus reactive, fragmented busyness.

In this episode:

• Why you’re not broken
• The invisible architecture of overwork
• The hidden hustle tax and the erosion of attention
• Decision fatigue and its impact on leadership quality
• Digital whiplash and context switching
• The trap of “always on” culture
• How to measure your attention ratio
• Four evidence-based practices to reclaim focus

Key insight: Protecting your attention isn’t indulgent. It’s self-leadership.

Links & Resources:

• Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com
• Website: https://creatingcadence.co
• Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com

Produced by Bondesio Media. Edited on Descript. Season Music from Changing Their Minds, (Premium Beat)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mich Bondesio explores one of the most pervasive and damaging beliefs in modern work culture: the idea that more is always better.

From growth-at-all-costs startups to mission-led entrepreneurs stuck in endless output cycles, the pressure to do more, scale faster, and push harder is everywhere. But as Mich explains, chasing more often comes at the cost of focus, wellbeing, creativity, and long-term business sustainability.

Mich reframes enough as a powerful strategic decision, one that protects energy, sharpens priorities, and supports regenerative productivity.

Links & Resources:

• Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com
• Website: https://creatingcadence.co
• Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com

Produced by Bondesio Media. Edited on Descript. Season Music from Changing Their Minds, (Premium Beat)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mich Bondesio opens Season 15 with reflections on burnout and how to rebuild work and life without burning out again. This episode explores a quieter, often unspoken form of ambition: soul-fuelled ambition driven by purpose, care, and a desire to create meaningful impact. Mich shares her own lived experience of burnout and recovery, and why traditional productivity models fail humans who are deeply invested in their work.

In this episode:

• The hidden dangers of “burning bright” in purpose-driven work
• How burnout shows up before collapse
• Why productivity was never the problem
• Performance vs pacing: why resilience without reflection is a trap
• Why work-life balance is a myth
• A new definition of productivity rooted in intention, values, and sustainability
• What Season 15 will explore: rebuilding after burnout and designing work that lasts

Key insight: You don’t need to do more. You need to do more of what matters — with clarity, consistency, and care.

Links & Resources:

• Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com
• Cadence Catalyst Mastermind: https://cadence.kit.com/cadence-catalyst
• Website: https://creatingcadence.co
• Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Dickson on the power of climate-positive leadership, conscious capitalism, micro-actions, and regenerative thinking to transform business. We explore why rewriting the rules of work requires new approaches to productivity, leadership, and business design, and how small, intentional actions can create lasting systems change.

In episode 90 we cover:

• Richard’s journey as a neurodiverse founder and the habits that support his wellbeing and productivity
• What conscious capitalism really means (and why it matters now)
• Why businesses must move beyond compliance toward regenerative models
• The rise of the circular and “pre-loved” economy
• How Play It Green helps companies create climate-positive pathways through simple, dopamine-boosting micro-actions
• Why education, transparency, and community-building drive real sustainability
• The relationship between leadership, productivity, and business impact

Key takeaway:

Momentum follows action — and even the smallest step can spark long-term cultural, financial, and environmental change.

Access Full Show Notes and Download the episode Transcript here: https://creatingcadence.co/ep90-richard-dickson-regenerative-business-impact/

Mich's Links:

• Cadence Catalyst Mastermind: cadence.kit.com/cadence-catalyst
• Creating Cadence: creatingcadence.co
• Mich’s Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com
• Mich’s book: thecadenceeffect.com

Podcast Sponsor Offer: Get 20% off Magic Mind productivity shots and 48% off subscriptions with my magic code "MICH20". Head to https://magicmind.com/MICH20 to get yours.

The Creating Cadence is edited on Descript and music for this season is from Blue Dot Sessions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nonie White joins Mich Bondesio to explore how wellbeing-led productivity and leadership fuels purposeful entrepreneurial performance.

In episode 89 we cover:

• What the “true cost” of entrepreneurship really looks like
• The burnout epidemic among female founders — and what drives it
• Key habits of founders who flourish: health, nature, joy, and community
• The science of positive psychology and its link to productivity
• Why wellbeing and performance are inseparable for sustainable success
• How leadership that prioritises energy and authenticity creates ripple effects across teams

Key takeaway:

We’re not productivity machines — we’re humans. When we prioritise wellbeing and meaning, we unlock the energy, clarity, and creativity needed for sustainable success.

Access Full Show Notes and Download the episode Transcript here: https://creatingcadence.co/ep89-nonie-white-redefining-entrepreneurial-success/

Mich's Links:

• Cadence Catalyst Mastermind: cadence.kit.com/cadence-catalyst
• Creating Cadence: creatingcadence.co
• Mich’s Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com
• Mich’s book: thecadenceeffect.com

Podcast Sponsor Offer: Get 20% off Magic Mind productivity shots and 48% off subscriptions with my magic code "MICH20". Head to https://magicmind.com/MICH20 to get yours.

The Creating Cadence is edited on Descript and music for this season is from Blue Dot Sessions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Creating Cadence, host Mich Bondesio interviews Kevin Karaca - a storyteller, behaviour strategist, and mindfulness advocate - about how curiosity, meaning, and story can help us rewrite the rules of work.

Kevin is co-founder of Folc Studio, founder of The House Outside, and creator of The Cult of Curiosity. His work explores how humans and businesses can reconnect with themselves and others to create more intentional, meaningful, and sustainable ways of working.

Together, Mich and Kevin unpack how story, reciprocity, and self-connection shape our work and leadership, and why embracing discomfort, curiosity, and presence are essential tools for positive change.

In episode 88, we cover:

• Why there’s no “work–life divide”
• How story shapes systems, culture, and behaviour
• Why changing the story changes the system
• The role of mindfulness and curiosity in sustainable productivity
• Why vulnerability, meaning, and discomfort matter for growth

Key takeaway:

When we reconnect with curiosity and meaning, we don’t just change our work - we change ourselves, our relationships, and the systems we build together.

Download the episode transcript and links to resources: https://creatingcadence.co/ep88-kevin-karaca-leading-with-story/

Mich's Links:

• Creating Cadence: creatingcadence.co
• Mich’s Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com
• Mich’s book: thecadenceeffect.com

Podcast Sponsor Offer: Get 20% off Magic Mind productivity shots and 48% off subscriptions with my magic code "MICH20". Head to https://magicmind.com/MICH20 to get yours.

The Creating Cadence is edited on Descript and music for this season from Blue Dot Sessions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 87 of Creating Cadence, host Mich Bondesio explores how to design businesses that thrive on a changing planet — where purpose, people, and profit coexist sustainably. Building a business for a changing planet isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation. Every founder, team, and decision has the power to create meaningful change.

This episode completes the solo episodes for Season 14: Rewriting the Rules of Work, offering a visionary yet practical look at how founders and leaders can embed environmental and social responsibility into their everyday business decisions.

In episode 87:

• What it really means to design a regenerative business
• Why sustainability must move beyond brand messaging into business DNA
• The risks of ignoring climate and social change — and the opportunities for those who act early
• How sustainable practices future-proof your business and attract conscious talent and customers
• What this looks like in the real world.

Podcast Sponsor Offer: Get 20% off Magic Mind productivity shots and 48% off subscriptions with my magic code "MICH20". Head to https://magicmind.com/MICH20 to get yours.

Download the episode transcript and links to resources mentioned at: https://creatingcadence.co/ep87-redesigning-business-for-a-changing-world/

Episode Links:

• Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com
• Mich’s book: thecadenceeffect.com
• Website: creatingcadence.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mich Bondesio explores a paradigm shift in leadership: redefining the CEO role as Chief Energy Officer. Instead of simply executing and managing, today’s leaders must steward energy, creativity, and resilience for themselves and their teams. Discover why this matters, the benefits it brings to business performance, and how to start embodying this regenerative leadership model in your own work.

This episode is part of Season 14: Rewriting the Rules of Work. Mich explains why traditional productivity models are no longer fit for purpose, and how leaders, founders, and teams can design more sustainable rhythms that fuel both performance and wellbeing. In this season, expect a mix of solo deep dives and expert interviews with leaders in psychology, sustainability, and behavioural strategy.

In this episode, key topics include:

[00:04:45] Why traditional models of leadership no longer fit today’s workplace.

[00:08:10] Defining the role of Chief Energy Officer and the four types of energy every leader must steward.

[00:10:00] How becoming a Chief Energy Officer impacts culture, creativity, and performance.

[00:12:29] Real-world examples from HubSpot, Patagonia, and Mindvalley.

[00:14:13] Three actionable steps to start practicing energy-conscious leadership.

Podcast Sponsor Offer: Get 20% off Magic Mind productivity shots and 48% off subscriptions with my magic code "MICH20". Head to https://magicmind.com/MICH20 to get yours.

Download the episode transcript and links to resources mentioned at: https://creatingcadence.co/ep86-ceo-chief-energy-officer/

Episode Links:

• Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com
• Mich’s book: thecadenceeffect.com
• Website: creatingcadence.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.